Chapter 2237: Battle of the Twin Cities! (68)_1

Being a righteous superhero, Batman, of course, couldn't employ the same lawless and inhumane techniques as Amanda had used to monitor supervillains.

However, supervising Joker was necessary, particularly when he was in the company of an excessively fashionable Batman.

Batman called in Superman.

The local Superman. When Bruce went to find Superman, Batman had already recorded the superhero's whereabouts using surveillance cameras, and then transported Superman out through the shield's entrance.

This was done with completely selfless intentions, unambiguously just for seeking the truth, not against anyone.

But after all, Superman was an alien, the overly powerful needed restrictions and monitoring, so Batman brought Peter into the fold.

This was absolutely scientific, rich in exploration spirit. Once again, it was not targeted at anyone.

Joker held a completely opposite view. He strongly asked Batman to implant a bomb into his heart rather than allow him to be mixed down with these three unfortunate things.

Joker's protest didn't make a difference. The four of them were thrown to the entrance of the shield by Batman's fighter jet.

To avoid confusion, I have to introduce these four individuals.

Peter, the Amazing Spiderman from the prime universe Marvel Old Earth 616, although by this point he has lost his spider abilities.

Bruce comes from the universe where Shiller is situated.

Joker hails from the main universe, currently located in Gotham of Sky Island, known as the New 52 Joker.

Superman is from Earth No.1. It's important to emphasize this Clark Kent because there is a solo publication about him in the Earth No.1 series.

Some people think that Earth No.1's Batman is so weak, hence, Superman must not be strong, but actually, Batman's weakness only affects people within Gotham. The strength of Superman and Green Lantern who also have publications were hardly affected.

However, Earth No.1's Superman is unique. He wasn't weak when he made his debut; he was kinda cringy, with lots of shots resembling a traditional "Arrogant Dragon", especially the cover photo with a hooded jacket and glaring red eyes. People who know would realize this is Superman, those who don't might mistake it for a comic version of Twilight.

Meanwhile, Earth No.1's Clark Kent is muddled, unaware of how he should take up residence in this world, perhaps as an ordinary office worker or a conspicuous celebrity.

Enemies coming to his doorstep still force him to change. However, at this stage, where enemies haven't arrived yet, Superman still works as a reporter for The Daily Planet.

An abrupt alien invasion is just like enemies showing up at his doorstep. Superman can't ignore it, so he chooses to expose his superpowers to protect the public.

He did well when Bruce came looking for him. No alien troops can go to the area he was protecting.

Of course, compared to other Supermen, he is a bit weaker because if main universe's Clark Kent was here, he should have already struck through the portal to Apocalypse Star.

The comic description of Earth No.1's Superman shows it would take him a week to annihilate human race with all his abilities fully opened - illustrating he is indeed not very strong. But in this weakling-swamped Earth No.1, he is sufficient.

Although Batman comes and goes through the shield's entrance as if it was his bedroom, there are still certain defense mechanisms in place. As soon as they landed, they were attacked.

Superman uses his biological field to deflect the laser beam, allowing four of them to land safely. Peter immediately started yelling, questioning Superman's eyes and lasers, even taking out a mini detector to gauge the level of Superman's laser emission.

The Spiderman who wrote "Gotham Travel Notes" had heard of Superman's name and understood from Batman how strong Superman was but hadn't seen him in person. Peter decided to communicate with him when he got back, writing his experience in an extra edition of "Gotham Travel Notes," which could at least earn him a position as a correspondent.

Bruce was very supportive. He smiled at Clark and said, "See, I told you, you could do it. If you have such power and don't use it to save the world, it will be a waste, right?"

"The only reason I rejected you is that you are a Gothamite." Clark Kent responded somewhat harshly, "The people who came from there have done too much harm in Metropolis. I have seen it."

"I can't believe you have such prejudice." Bruce sighed, dropping his gaze, "I got along really well with the Clark I knew; we even visited his Kansas home together. Martha's apple pie is truly delicious."

Clark looked at Bruce doubtfully, squinting as he said uncertainly, "I'm not sure what they would think about my inviting a billionaire home."

"They were delighted." Bruce didn't even mention that he bought a Lamborghini tractor because if spoken now, it would appear as though he was showing off. He knew how to turn it into his trump card.

"We went to the farmers' market together, bought vegetables and fish, drove an old tractor (it almost rattled my bones to pieces); we strolled along the pond edge, watched sunset over the fields."

"Even if you knew he... he's not like other people?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by 'not the same'? Are you referring to abilities, like those in your eyes? I forgot to mention, a lady was accompanying us during the visit."

"She is from Amazon, you know? Her father is Zeus, yes, the Zeus from the myths, she is a descendant of the Olympus deities."

Clark was immediately attracted. He asked curiously, "Is she a demigod? The kind that can perform magic charges?"

"Of course, in addition to magic, she also has a magical lasso that can make anyone it binds tell the truth."

"Oh, dear." Clark started laughing, seemingly finding all this amusing, he said, "So you guys got tied up before?"

"Never, but then again, it happened to another version of us once, that was after a game was over…"

Bruce felt a burning sensation on his back. Considering that Superman with his laser eyes was standing in front of him, it was probably Joker using his death stare on him.

As Bruce turned around, sure enough, he met Joker's murderous gaze.

Don't get me wrong, Joker was not in a hurry at all. Bruce and Clark could have their small talk as long as they want. This madman was nothing like Batman who always pursues efficiency. In some ways, you could say that he was easy-going.

But when Bruce decided to chat with Clark, Peter was the only one left for Joker to deal with.

Don't forget, this Joker is one of the main characters of the "Gotham Travel Notes." In the tiny duration of Bruce and Clark's chat, Peter, who wanted to become the correspondent of "Gotham Travel Notes," couldn't help but wish Joker would dictate him a whole "Homer's Epic."

"Mr. Joker, is there really a lot of noise from upstairs in your building? Why didn't you complain previously? Do your pipes leak frequently? Do you really not have a roll of duct tape at home?"

"Another version of you claimed you owned three identical dark blue jackets, is that true? Also, you keep a whole set of suits in your wardrobe without any desiccant. How do you make sure your clothes won't be wrinkled from humidity when you perform on stage?"

"Do you often take hostages? What if you tied them up in a building and they need to go to the bathroom? What if they wet their pants? Won't you get urine on you when you carry them? If your clothes get stained by this kind of dirty stuff, do you wash them in the washing machine?"

If one were to describe the situation with an analogy, Joker seemed more like Octopus Brother now.

"In 'Gotham Travel Notes' it said you always love to laugh, but you seem not very amused right now. Did I talk too much? I have my phone with me, can we take a picture? Oh, please smile, otherwise, people might think you're an imposter."

At the very moment when Peter took the picture, Joker showed his iconic smile. But it vanished in an instant, and he started using his death stare on Bruce again.

Bruce finally noticed his burning gaze, he said sorry to Clark, walked over to Joker, looked at the shield in front of him and said, "Alright, let's figure out a way to get in."

Joker looked at Bruce, and Bruce looked back at him, giving each other a wide-eyed stare at the head of the line.

"Who would figure it out?" Joker could hardly believe that he even asked this question - with Batman in the team.

"I can think about it." Bruce opened his hands in a bit of shock, "But shouldn't I ask for your opinions?"

"Obviously, no matter how we try to get in now, there's risk for all of us. As everyone bears the same risk, the right and obligation to propose suggestions should be the same too. This is teamwork, this is democracy, and this is democratic teamwork."

Clark instantly saw Bruce in a new light. After scrutinizing Bruce, he said, "Gotham's media are indeed not very reliable. I didn't expect their playboy who knows nothing according to the tabloids, to say something like this."

Bruce modestly shook his head, "As a matter of fact, I never hold too pessimistic a view of the media. Despite their negative thoughts about me, I still believe that someone, who is eager for truth, will stand up for me."

He gave Clark a smile, probed and said, "It's all up to you now, Mr. Kent."

"That depends on your performance." Clark's tone was much lighter, like joking with a friend on his football team, "Even if you're the world's richest man, you can't buy me."

Joker whistled towards Bruce, "Do you flirt with every Clark Kent you know?"

A direct hit.

"I think love is too perfunctory a word for our relationship."

The target soared into the sky, leaving a row of bullet holes lining up into a heart shape.

Clark immediately turned his head away in embarrassment.

Joker felt a strong urge to ask what on earth he was blushing for.

But then Peter, rather naively, asked Joker, "Have you seen Batman and Superman flirting? But didn't both of them have girlfriends? Batman even has several kids. They're not gay, right?"

"Of course, I mean no disrespect to homosexuality; If they are, I wish them well. But I feel your words were somewhat discriminatory, Mr. Joker. We shouldn't intrude too much into others' private emotional life."

"I know people always regard love as the noblest emotion, but can't superheroes express deep feelings for each other just as intimately? This is clearly a stereotyping prejudice. We shouldn't propagate such prejudice, especially in a sarcastic and gossipy posture. That's despicable."

Clark immediately came over and patted Peter's shoulder, he said, "If only all journalists could think like you. In their news reports, they always seem to match every pigeon lurking around in the pictures."

Joker crossed his arms and puckered his mouth. He stretched out his right foot, tapping the ground, stared at Bruce, then pointed at Bruce and Clark direction. His face seemed to say, "Where did you get these two suns? Isn't it too hot for you?"

Bruce chose to join in, and the three had a lively conversation. When they walked to the shielded door, Bruce winked at Joker.

"No way! Is there no sunshine in someone's Gotham?"