Chapter 1658: No Time to Die (21)_1

Spider-Man followed Batman to a special room, a room so dazzlingly bright it bordered on light pollution due to the at least hundred screens of various sizes scattered throughout.

The largest main screen projected the scene of a daytime robbery. Spider-Man gasped as he walked in, subsequently rubbing his eyes, seemingly unaccustomed to such intense brightness.

"God, how many surveillance cameras did you place throughout Gotham?" Spider-Man had some difficulty pronouncing 'Gotham,' almost biting his tongue. However, his attention was quickly drawn to the images displayed on the surveillance screens.

"As you can see, this is a city teeming with crime," Batman responded grimly.

"How high exactly?"

"The Gotham Police Department has reported 6,113 crimes this year, with half being serious offenses."

"...Isn't that similar to New York?"

Batman turned to look at Spider-Man, who sighed. "Just this morning, my uncle was saying that there were roughly 5,739 reported crimes in New York this year, an increase of about 40% from last year."

Before Batman could respond, Spider-Man added. "But that's only regular crime. It doesn't include alien invasions, biological mutants, modified humans going mad, and mutants losing control. If you factor all those in, there's probably seven or eight thousand."

"Furthermore, New York's been destroyed more times this year than usual. Just the alien invasions and Thanos's arrival alone caused New York to be obliterated four or five times. If you look at the victim rate, at least 90% of New Yorkers have been affected."

Batman squinted his eyes. "So, who's in charge of maintaining peace in New York City amongst the superheroes? Is it Mr. Stark?"

"In charge? Well, technically it's S.H.I.E.L.D., an official supernatural watchdog organization. They established The Avengers, who mostly saved New York during the catastrophic events."

"Ugh, I haven't been the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man for a while," Spider-Man sighed, "Every day I'm either fighting aliens or evil gods, either stopping this or that from destroying the world."

Batman quietly turned his head back. "Then you might be better suited for Metropolis."

"Gotham's crimes mainly involve malicious robberies, kidnappings and bombings. Most serious criminals here are super intelligent and extremely cunning, cruel, and evil. Never underestimate their criminal talent."

"That's true." Spider-Man nodded in agreement, "The Black Mask kidnapped such a small kid the other day. Pure evil. It must be hard for you having to deal with them every day."

Batman, who had his hand on the console, paused for a moment. He gently shook his head, "Black Mask is far from cunning or evil. Those words are much better suited for..."

"Beep—Beep—Beep—"

A sharp alarm sounded. Batman quickly turned his head towards the blinking warning light outside the door.

Spider-Man, as if sensing something, turned towards the biggest screen. Batman then looked up and saw the Bat light flashing in the pitch-black sky of Gotham displayed on the main screen.

"God, this car is the coolest...uh, um, is it a sports car? Or a subtype of tank?!" Spider-Man hollered, sitting in the Batmobile.

"It's the Batmobile," Batman responded.

"Screech—"

The sharp sound of the brakes echoed. With a smooth drift, Batman turned the Batmobile into the rear alley of the theatre, promptly executing a quick and precise reverse park. After stopping the Batmobile, Batman rushed down from the vehicle, with Spider-Man right behind him. They both dashed into the back door of the theatre.

"Gordon said on the phone that Joker had taken a couple and their child hostage here. If I don't go, he will force the little boy to press a button that would kill his parents," Batman informed him.

"That's strange?! " Spider-Man, now in his new suit, raised his voice, "What kidnapper has ever insisted on seeing the police? Can't he see you in jail if he just surrenders?"

"Firstly, I'm not a cop, I'm Batman. Secondly, he's not a kidnapper, he's the Joker."

Batman glanced at Spider-Man, then said, "You need to learn the rules of this game first. Don't act hastily."

"Okay, don't worry!"

"Thud!"

With a swift kick, Spider-Man sent the railing of the second floor crashing down, shooting a spidey-web to the theatre's ceiling and swung onto the stage. Standing in front of the Joker, Spider-Man pointed at him and yelled, "Damn kidnapper! Let go of the boy, or I'll make you pay!!!"

At that moment, Batman sprinted to the front of the second floor only to see, for the first time, a slightly confused expression on the always wickedly smiling face of his nemesis, the Joker.

Then, the Joker forcefully wrinkled his nose, revealed an evil smile to Spider-Man and said, "I smell it! I smell that stench from the bird's feathers!"

"Batman has taken in another homeless poor birdie, ha, he raised you, dressed you up, then turned you into that stern and grumpy face of his!"