The Death knell

...you find another way to deal with this?" Cindy's voice was low, almost drowned out by the rain.

Albert shook his head. "No. The events that are set to happen in this world are inevitable. It's like a script that's already written. The only way to change the ending is to change the story itself."

Cindy was silent for a moment. "Then let's rewrite it."

Albert looked at her, surprised. "You're willing to help?"

She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming behind her visor. "I don't want to die just yet. Besides, I'm curious to see if we can actually change destiny."

Albert felt a strange sense of relief. He wasn't alone in this fight anymore. "Alright. Then we need to find Batgirl before the first wave hits Gotham."

"Agreed. But where do we start looking?"

Albert thought for a moment, piecing together the fragments of information from his world and what he knew of this one. "If the jester knows something, she might be the key. We'll need to pay her a visit in Arkham."

Cindy's mouth twisted into a grimace. "Great. My favorite place."

"Not mine either. But we don't have a choice."

They moved quickly, navigating the rooftops with practiced ease, the rain continuing to pour, washing away any trace of their presence. Below them, Gotham was restless, unaware of the doom looming above.

"Do you think the jester will cooperate?" Cindy asked, her voice carrying a note of skepticism.

"Not willingly," Albert replied. "But if she knows where Batgirl is, we'll make her talk."

Cindy smirked. "I like your style."

They reached the perimeter of Arkham Asylum, the towering building looking even more menacing against the stormy sky. The air was heavy with the scent of rain and despair.

Cindy glanced at Albert . "What's the plan?"

"Get in, find the jester, get the information, and get out. No unnecessary fights. We can't afford to waste time."

Cindy nodded, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "Simple enough."

They moved swiftly, slipping past the guards with ease. The asylum was quiet, the only sounds being the distant echoes of laughter and the occasional creak of old metal.

They found the jester in a solitary cell, her back turned to the door as she hummed a tuneless melody. Her bright green hair was damp, likely from the leak in the ceiling, but she didn't seem to care.

Albert stepped forward, his voice cold. "We need to talk."

The jester turned slowly, her eyes wide with mock surprise. "Well, if it isn't Deathstroke... and Deathstroke? Oh, this is rich!" She burst into laughter, a high-pitched cackle that echoed off the walls.

Cindy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we're hilarious. Tell us where Batgirl is."

The jester's laughter stopped abruptly, her face twisting into a sinister smile. "Now, why would I do that?"

Su Ming's patience was running thin. "Because if you don't, we'll make sure you never laugh again."

The jester's eyes sparkled with delight. "Ooh, threats! I love threats. But I'm afraid you're a little too late. Bat's already on her way to the big show."

Albert felt a chill run down his spine. "What show?"

The jester leaned in close, her voice a whisper. "The grand finale. The end of the world. It's going to be spectacular."

Cindy clenched her fists. "Enough games! Where is she?"

The jester giggled, backing away. "Oh, I do love a good mystery. But if you really want to find her... follow the flood."

With that, she burst into laughter again, her cackles echoing long after they left the cell.

Cindy looked at Su Albert , her expression serious. "What did she mean by that?"

Albert face was grim. "Exactly what I feared. It's already started. The flood is coming."

They made their way out of Arkham, the storm outside even fiercer than before. The streets were beginning to flood, the water rising rapidly.

Albert jaw tightened. "We're running out of time."

Cindy looked at him, determination shining in her eyes. "Then let's go save the world."

They raced through the city, the floodwaters rising around them, the darkness pressing in. Somewhere above, the bat signal flickered, its light dim and unsteady.

Albert mind raced. The flood was just the beginning. If they didn't find Batgirl soon, this world would be lost—along with everyone in it.

But he wasn't about to let that happen. Not on his watch.

As they disappeared into the stormy night, the rain continued to fall, washing away the remnants of a city on the brink of destruction.

The end was coming. But so was Deathstroke.