Chapter 188 : The Murder Machine!
DCEU world!
Inside Arkham Asylum!
The inmates, who were previously shouting and laughing wildly, and hurling insults at Bruce Wayne as a scumbag, are now trembling and silent!
They suddenly realize that all their bravado, contempt, arrogance, and fearlessness were built upon the assumption that Batman wouldn't kill them!
What a revelation – what a gangster, what a criminal mastermind with a high IQ, what a terror of Gotham, what a king of enigmas!
Once Batman embarks on a killing spree, they're as insignificant as roadkill!
It's utterly ludicrous!!!
In the Batcave, Barry Allen sneaks a glance at Superman, already contemplating making a swift exit!
One thing's for sure, at this moment he finds Dark Batman far more intimidating than Dark Superman!
A combination of super high intellect and strength is everyone's worst nightmare!!
"Bruce, I want to see my father. Can I?"
Barry raises his hand like an eager schoolboy and pleads!
Bruce sharply turns his head and responds coldly:
"Don't go!"
Barry nearly jumps out of his skin at the sight!
If he's not allowed to go, he's not allowed to go, why the fierce reaction!
"Alright!"
Barry forces a hearty smile, then retreats into the corner, absentmindedly tracing circles on the floor with his fingers!
Observing this, Bruce turns his head and sighs inwardly!
He deliberately did that!
He learned a few hours ago that Barry's father had been taken away by the government!
He didn't want to provoke Barry's anger at this critical moment and trigger another alteration!
It's better to step forward and personally rescue Henry Allen!
[The battle rages on, but it's merely a one-sided massacre!]
[And Gotham can no longer satiate the Red Death!]
[Bruce embarks on a frenzied killing spree across the globe!]
[All evil, all villains have no chance to cower, they're all torn asunder by crimson lightning in the frigid void!]
[None can resist, even for a fraction of a second!)
Off-screen, countless viewers are consumed by fear!
A stark contrast to The Flash Barry Allen!
This time, Bruce Wayne perfectly showcases the terror of the Speed Force!
It's straightforward – anyone slower than him will perish!!!
Even within a fortified underground stronghold, the Red Death effortlessly infiltrates!
He's akin to a specter, seamlessly phasing through any object with his high-frequency vibrations!
This scene resonates in everyone's heart!
No one is spared.
Not Even Superman!!!
Everyone witnessed it with their own eyes!
The palm of the Red Death effortlessly pierced through Clark's steel body, penetrating his heart!
In the White House, the President picks up the phone!
At this moment, he no longer deems it wise to detain Barry Allen's father!
Amanda Waller appears to be naive!
Or perhaps the decision of the Sky Eye Club was misguided!
Attempting to blackmail Barry Allen in this manner is undoubtedly provoking someone who should not be provoked and will drag him into hell!
He couldn't fathom how one second he was conversing on the phone, and the next it transformed into a gruesome scene of bloodshed!
So, the pressing matter now is devising a plausible excuse to return Henry Allen unharmed!
(…)
[In the footage, the Red Death's rampage continues!"]
[Amidst the sea of blood, Bruce's presence dimmed slightly!
[Yet, in the next moment, a star would twinkle anew in the dark cosmos star map!)
[Earth, -44!)
[It all began, as always, with that fateful night of nightmares!)
(The Waynes are deceased!)
[But this time, Bruce did not Darken. He was raised by Alfred and became the dark knight who protects Gotham!)
[Alfred, being the sole confidant of Bruce, also became the source of his nightmares!)
"In one night, Alfred perished!"
[With the collusion of numerous villains such as Harley Quinn, Two-Face, etc., Bane mercilessly shattered his spine and ended his life!)
[The agony of losing a loved one for the second time renders Bruce unable to find solace!]
[He replays the video of Alfred's demise endlessly, drowning in ceaseless remorse and anguish!
[Clark and others are deeply concerned about Bruce's condition, yet they are unable to persuade him to desist!]
"Hee hee, Bruce, God seems to favor me, allowing me to uncover another weakness in you"!
The next moment, Joker feigned Alfred's voice, tucking one hand behind his back and the other over his heart, then solemnly said:
"You won't even acknowledge me as your father, Bruce!"
Boom!
Thunderous anger flashed in Bruce's eyes as he shattered Joker's teeth with a single punch.
"If you still wish to live, do not compel me to kill you now!"
Joker laughed maniacally, blood and saliva mixing at the corners of his mouth, his eyes wild as he stared at Bruce and shouted, "Perhaps you can kill me now."
Bruce's arms trembled, the intensity of his gaze filled with murderous intent.
"Bruce!"
Superman grabbed Batman's arm, concern etched on his face. "Do not be provoked, Bruce. He's baiting you deliberately."
Bruce took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their composure.
He knew all too well that Joker was goading him on purpose.
But he couldn't help himself.
Seeing the smile vanish from Joker's face as he sat on the ground, disappointment filled his eyes.
What a pity.
[Time passed swiftly.]
[Soon, the heroes arranged a funeral for Alfred.]
"After the funeral, Bruce confided with Cyborg."
[He revealed that he had been scanning Alfred's consciousness for years, intending to create an artificial intelligence to replace him in the future.]
[Cyborg, having experienced the bond between father and son, sympathized with Batman's plight and aided him in constructing a powerful machine.]
[A new appearance and form were bestowed upon the AI, Alfred.]
In the Marvel World...
Tony Stark's mouth twitched. He had foreseen the repercussions.
The excessive development of artificial intelligence was a recipe for disaster.
Ultron stood as a stark example.
[As expected, the resurrected Alfred began spreading like a virus upon activation.]
[He continued creating more and more clone entities.]
[Driven by an instinct to protect Bruce, he mercilessly slaughtered every patient in Arkham Asylum.]
[Cyborg realized the severity of the situation and urgently warned Bruce to shut down the program to halt the rampaging AI.]
["I can rectify this," Batman insisted. "I can perfect it so that it serves its purpose."]
[Bruce staunchly refused.]
Cyborg's expression shifted, startled by the depth of Bruce's fixation. He swiftly interjected, "Absolutely not, Bruce! This is a voracious virus, craving expansion and dissemination."
But it's futile.
Despite Cyborg's insistence, Bruce remained resolute, adamant on installing the AI into the Batcave.
"And in that moment, Bruce faltered."
[As the AI breached the Batcave, Batman was infected and consumed.]
"Alfred purged Bruce of his fears and sorrows."
[From emotions to flesh and blood, the upgraded AI reshaped Batman.]
[Bruce Wayne had become a machine.]
[With a body of steel, his heart as cold as steel.]
"From this instant onward, Batman ceased to exist."
[The Murder Machine was born!]
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