Kara was not a pawn for Joker's games, not anymore. Though Joker was indeed a high-IQ criminal mastermind, Kara wasn't exactly naive and had already begun to piece together Joker's plan.
However, Joker's level of madness was something even she hadn't foreseen.
Who could have anticipated that he'd reveal his hand in such a way? Risking everything just to pull off his insane plan to assassinate Commissioner Gordon—he was truly unhinged, more than Kara had ever expected.
It wasn't that she couldn't intercept Joker immediately; she could. But she couldn't risk exposure. Clark wasn't ready yet; both she and her adoptive father, Jonathan, knew that. Clark still had a ways to go before stepping into the world's spotlight.
So, Kara had to make a choice. She only had enough time to shield Judge Jennifer Hastings, using herself as a barrier. But that left Commissioner Gordon vulnerable.
Amid the chaos, someone else dashed forward—Detective Jim Gordon. He must have noticed something wrong with the second shot because he tackled the commissioner to the ground just in time. But not without cost—Gordon took a bullet in his back.
The scene spiraled into bedlam. People who had gathered to pay respects were thrown into a panic. Nearby officers, many unarmed for the ceremony, were caught off guard. Among them, a highly capable officer, badge number 023, was already in pursuit of the shooters. And it was clear now that the entire firing squad was Joker's people; no wonder Joker's presence had gone undetected.
And just as quickly, they turned their rifles toward the podium and the commissioner, making their loyalties clear.
No one could have anticipated Joker pulling off something this brazen.
Kara turned her head, locking eyes with Bruce across the way. In the building nearby, Batman had already detained several members of the original firing squad who were tied up and gagged.
Damn it. She'd been outmaneuvered yet again.
Kara's attention had been so focused on Joker himself that she missed the obvious trap.
Gritting her teeth, she realized Joker had anticipated her moves once again.
"Kara," Jennifer's voice pulled her back. She'd freed herself from Kara's protective hold and was looking at her with fierce determination. "Go get him."
Kara's expression showed her concern.
But Jennifer continued firmly, "This is your chance. Don't let him slip away. After what he did to Detective Gordon, he has to pay."
Even Jennifer was clearly outraged—a side of her Kara had rarely seen.
Nodding, Kara instructed Jennifer to stay close to safety. Then, without another second's hesitation, she leaped off the podium.
And it didn't matter that she was in high heels. She didn't even consider kicking them off. She'd trained in heels and moved with practiced grace and speed, covering ground quickly in Joker's direction.
She'd locked onto his position, and this time she wouldn't lose him.
To his credit, Joker's escape tactics were clever. He blended into the chaos, evading attention as he approached a nearby alleyway. But Kara's strides were relentless, her heels clicking fiercely against the ground. Before he could turn, she was upon him, a force of gravity knocking him to the ground as she stomped him down.
"You can't kill me," Joker sneered.
Kara chuckled darkly, pressing down harder. "Why can't I? Do you have anything left to hold over me? No more threats, Joker."
Joker's grin only widened. "Not even the judge? Tell me, Kara—how do you think I found the firing squad members? How did I get in here?" His voice turned mocking, eyes gleaming. "She's your weakness."
Kara's foot pressed harder, her heel piercing into his back like a knife. Joker didn't seem to mind; in fact, he cackled as if her fury was nothing more than entertainment. "See, once a 'hero' has a weakness, they're vulnerable. You know this, Kara. They'll exploit every connection you have."
"Is your goal just to drive me mad?" Kara's voice was filled with a cold, deadly calm, her restraint finally tested to its limits.
"Drive you mad?" Joker laughed louder, as if even that wasn't worth his time. "Oh, I don't need to do that. It's not my job. You know, Kara, I never expected you to be my enemy. Not after seeing how ruthless you can be. But there's a piece of you that doesn't want 'order' at all—you want chaos. The truth is, you're closer to me than you'd ever be to Bruce."
Kara frowned, momentarily caught off-guard by Joker's taunts.
"The world of Batman, of 'justice' and 'law,' it's so small for someone like you," Joker continued. "You could've already ended me and made the 'right' choice, but you didn't. And why is that? Because, deep down, you and I aren't that different."
Joker's words hit her like a punch to the gut. Kara took a step back, which was all Joker needed. He slowly got up, unfazed by the blood trickling from where her heel had left its mark.
Kara was shaken. Joker's words rang with a bitter truth. Did she believe in law and order like Bruce? Or was she destined for something darker—something closer to chaos?
And wasn't that the reason she and Bruce could never see eye to eye? In her mind, Ra's al Ghul's end would have meant peace for Gotham. Bruce had insisted on sparing him, believing in a system of justice that was blind to the chaos lurking beneath.
In that moment, she understood something about herself, and it frightened her.
But there would be time to confront those truths later.