Peter Parker is researching a certain virus.
This is truly the worst news, Robin thought.
Just as he was about to return to the Batcave to obtain more research materials, he ran into Nightwing on the way.
"Are you okay? I plan to head to the Bell Tower and ask Barbara to help me see if we can restore the surveillance videos from the base," Nightwing said from his car.
Robin initially planned to return to the Batcave, but he thought it might be safer to go to Barbara's place, so they both headed to the Bell Tower. Coincidentally, Barbara was just looking for them.
"You guys need to see this." Barbara sat in front of her computer, pointed to the screen and said to Robin, "I tried to figure out who distributed the anesthetic drug by investigating the usage records of various online devices in Gotham City."
"I've investigated major medical laboratories, chemical laboratories, and even most of the laboratories Batman knows, but found no results."
"So, the adversary is unusually clever?"
"No, that's exactly where he falters." Barbara shook her head, "This means, the device used by the adversary either doesn't connect to the internet, or I can't get access to it."
"If it's the former, it may be difficult to track." Nightwing said, "These devices usually don't need networking capabilities, right?"
"On the contrary, a device that can stun all people in Gotham in an instant must have corresponding security measures. It may not connect to the internet, but it must be connected to the security control center through a LAN."
"Like a nuclear bomb and its launch button?"
"It's more like the launch button and the launch control center." Barbara turned back to face her computer screen, "Actually, I've thought before. Only the weather control center in Wayne Tower can cause such large-scale disaster. Normally, only Batman could get in, not us."
"Are you suggesting that Batman did this?"
"He's not incapable of doing it, but he normally only uses this as a last resort. Stirring up this much commotion at the start is not Batman's style," Barbara pushed her glasses up and said, "I'm more inclined to believe that someone has gained Batman's trust."
Robin knew it was time to voice his speculation, but Barbara turned to Dick and said, "I've examined the suspicious vehicle imagery coming and going from Brude Haven tonight. Then I found this."
Barbara pressed a button on the keyboard and an extremely blurry image appeared on the computer screen. It was taken from high above, but it was clear enough to make out two people in the cab of a truck.
Robin and Nightwing both leaned over to look, they immediately recognized the person in the driver's seat as no one but Poison Ivy, who is easily recognizable due to her distinct look.
Seeing the face of the co-driver, Nightwing jumped in shock, while Robin sighed as expected, "That explains everything."
"The source of the anesthetic gas that can stun the entire city is also a solid evidence. No one but Poison Ivy can do it."
"You're not implying that Peter Parker is a traitor, are you?"
"It's too early to reach such an extreme conclusion." Barbara cut off Robin and said, "But he must have his own motives, and we'd better keep him under watch."
"No one is arguing with that." Robin agreed with this point more. In his view, with Batman absent, Gotham is dangerous everywhere. Being overly cautious isn't a bad thing.
But Nightwing still had concerns and said, "We shouldn't easily question any member of the Batman Family..."
"But to a certain extent, this is a very conclusive evidence." Robin, looking at the computer screen, said, "Either he's betrayed us, or he's unstable. We'd better be precautious."
Finally, Robin persuaded everyone. Nightwing grabbed his gear and weapons, and Robin put on full armor. The two set off to return to the Batcave.
The surveillance equipment in the Batcave operates independently and cannot be monitored from anywhere else. So, their first stop upon returning to the Batcave was the surveillance room. They had to find out where Peter Parker was to prevent being ambushed by him.
They located Peter Parker quickly, but not in the lab. He was in Batman's equipment storage.
The two looked solemn immediately. Nightwing, both hands on the table, stared at the screen and asked, "What is he doing in there?"
But Robin reacted immediately, "He's after Batman's armor! That's one of the most dangerous weapons in the world. Stop him now!"
The two grabbed their weapons and rushed towards the ARMORY. Upon bursting in, they found Peter actually trying to yank the Bat Cloak off one of the bat armors.
Almost immediately, the two charged forward with their weapons, but Peter still managed to tear off the cloak. From his calm movements, it was clear he already knew they were there.
After the cloak was stripped off, Peter wrapped it around his arm for ease of movement.
Seeing this, Robin and Nightwing were enraged. Nightwing roared, "Put it down!"
"Sorry, I know I shouldn't have taken it, but I need it!" As Peter dashed off from the wall, he yelled back at the two, "I'll return it once I'm done!"
But how could the two let it go? Stealing Batman's equipment in front of the fanatical Batman fans was absolutely audacious.
This is why it's Robin's turn to chase after him once the Joker is dead.
But Spider Man is really fast. His ability to move between buildings using spider silk is especially well-suited for Gotham, especially the Gotham of the Arkham Knight, where there are not only skyscrapers but also various types of drones patrolling.
Peter hooks his spider silk unto a drone, and he is quickly whisked away from the scene. Robin and Nightwing's grappling hooks have not even touched him, and Peter is about to disappear on the horizon.
Seeing that this was not going to work, Robin quickly calls Barbara for assistance. Barbara immediately uses satellite positioning to indicate their location, and even air-drops a Batmobile for the two men to swiftly chase after him.
Although Peter wrapped Batman's cloak around his arm, he did not tie it with a rope. When he swung, the cloak unfolded from his forearm.
Peter had no choice but to hold onto the cloak with one hand and the spider silk with the other as he continued to swing forward. The soft yet sturdy fabric fluttered in the wind, and all in Gotham recognized the Dark Knight's cloak.
After ten or so hours, the people of Gotham City were gradually waking up, and most of them were disoriented, staggering and holding their heads in confusion.
But Gotham is never short of tough guys, and some people, in order to protect themselves, entered a state of panic and began attacking the people around them. The newly awakened police officers who had not quite understood the situation had no choice but to immediately return to their posts to quell the disturbance.
Those newly awakened thugs who haven't experienced too much stimulation have slow reactions. With electric shock weapons and rubber bullets, they can be taken care of, and a few tear gas grenades will do at most.
However, Peter was causing a ruckus in Gotham, holding onto Batman's cloak, while the two Robins were speeding through the streets in the Batmobile.
As everyone knows, all Gotham has are Batman's fans and his twisted fans. Many people who see the Batman insignia either get excited or furious. Once the Robins stir the situation, the streets instantly descend into chaos.
Standing on the balcony of the Gotham Police Department, Gordon sees the figure hanging from a drone with Batman's cloak in hand, and familiar figures sitting in the familiar Batmobile.
Beep - Beep - Beep -
Gordon's communicator beeps. He picks it up, and after observing the chaos on the streets and hearing Batman's voice, Gordon, knowing that it was not Batman's fault, still couldn't help feeling exasperated and yelling at Batman.
"Now! Your sidekicks! Are stealing your cloak in Gotham!!"
Of course, the cloak-stealing incident is Gordon's guess, but this experienced police chief is always surprisingly accurate when guessing anything related to the Batman Family.
How could he not see it? The relationship among the Robins is very delicate. They appear to live in harmony, but every move they make shows that they want Batman's approval, and they want to be the most special one among all.
Gordon has interpreted this relationship in his own way. He doesn't have siblings, but he has heard his father complain about competing with his brother for their parents' affection when they were children.
But, stirring up more chaos in a city that is already in need of recovery is a bit too much. Gordon takes a deep breath and says in a not-so-nice tone: "Hurry up and think of a solution, Batman, we don't need another long night."
Before Batman could respond, Gordon hangs up.
Excellent, the police chief must be under the impression, as always, that this is due to his arrangement, or that he had a plan specifically for it.
At this point, the situation exceeded expectations, and there was no way he could say these words out loud. Batman exits the safe room, looking at Amanda with an inquisitive gaze, and says in the Batman style.
"All is going as planned, now let's head to Congress."
Looking at the now very different Bruce Wayne, Amanda sighs internally. Well then, the plan is nearly accomplished, and the once playboy doesn't need to pretend anymore.
What are we waiting for now? Amanda could hardly wait to see the military's embarrassments in the congressional hearings.
The military arrived much earlier than Batman had anticipated. In fact, they arrived not long after Batman had left.
But their initial goal of coming to Gotham was still to destroy evidence. They also realized that the missiles had not worked, but the military equipment in Scarecrow's hands needed to be dealt with.
Most of Gotham's black gloves could not be reached. That damn Penguin asked for too much, the military had no choice but to take a risk and handle it themselves.
They weren't ignorant of how eerie this place was, but at this point, they couldn't afford to lose both public opinion and Congress.
As a surgical operation, not many people were brought. A strike team stationed in New Jersey consisted of 5 special forces soldiers, of which 4 were hard-headed young men eager to climb up the ranks, and a lieutenant with urban combat experience. They carried a lot of explosives and incendiary devices for destroying evidence.
Taking advantage of the fact that the disaster was not yet over, triggering another explosion or starting a fire wouldn't draw too much attention. They had a plan like this in mind, seizing the opportunity that Batman wasn't around to act swiftly. Hence, they crossed the Gotham Bridge at the fastest pace.
As soon as they entered Gotham City, the city's eerie state shocked everyone. Most people were still asleep. A small number of people who had awoken were very confused, spinning in place like zombies.
The new recruits were terrified, but the lieutenant was already used to such strange phenomena. He urged the others to locate their targets and take action as quickly as possible.
Their actions were swift and effective, quickly locating the position of a large number of military equipment.
Then came the problem. Upon reaching the target location, they found nothing but a vast, open space.