DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Superman shot through the night sky like a blazing comet. Amid the stormy clouds, a shrill sonic boom split the air. He crashed down like a pillar from the heavens.

The speeding Batmobile collided head-on with Superman's indestructible body. The front of the vehicle crumpled like twisted steel, sparks flying wildly.

Boom!

The Batmobile was violently launched upward, as if it had hit a wall of steel. The entire front was caved in, flames sparking from the shattered metal.

Inside, Bardi was slammed forward by the force of the impact. His head nearly struck the windshield. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, veins bulging, holding himself steady in his seat. The shockwave rushed through his body like a 10,000-ton torrent, making his skull feel as though it would fly off.

Barbara, seated beside him, wasn't as fortunate. Her body slammed against the dashboard, her forehead splitting open, blood spilling.

Neither of them had been wearing seat belts.

The impact left both of them in agony. Barbara suffered severe trauma, with possible multiple fractures.

Superman stood atop the dented hood of the Batmobile, expression calm. The moment the rear of the Batmobile lifted at a 75-degree angle, nearly flipping, Superman pressed down with one hand.

Boom.

The Batmobile slammed back down onto the road.

Inside the cockpit, Bardi and Barbara were jolted again, both smashed violently into the front of the vehicle.

Bardi managed to protect himself and remained unharmed. Barbara, however, was mangled further. Her body twisted unnaturally, bones broken in multiple places, bleeding internally.

Then, Superman's steel-like arm drove forward.

Crack.

With a shriek of tearing metal, his fingers pierced into the side of the windshield. In a single motion, he ripped the entire front of the Batmobile open like paper, exposing Bardi and Barbara.

Bardi rotated his neck, adjusted his shoulders, and aligned his spine with practiced ease. His cold gaze locked onto Superman. The black cape behind him lifted with the wind as he stood up from the driver's seat, meeting Superman's eyes.

"Next time someone lights the Bat-Signal, don't show up. Take off that cape and go back to playing the hero in your city."

Superman's expression was stern. His red cape flapped behind him in the wind.

"You killed someone. I'll let it go this time. There won't be a next."

After speaking, Superman stared at Bardi for a long moment, then turned, preparing to leave.

Bardi's expression darkened, his voice like ice.

"This is your last warning, Clark Kent. Go back to Metropolis."

He didn't want to fight Superman. He wasn't here to challenge him.

He was simply fulfilling Bruce Wayne's last will—transforming Gotham into a city of light. Once that mission was complete, his task would be done.

He had no interest in conquering this Earth.

But clearly, his timing was off. Superman had a vested interest in Batman. According to the original storyline, this was the period when the two began to clash—only to eventually become reluctant allies and even partners.

Of course, Bardi had no intention of repeating that arc. He had no desire to form bonds or engage in emotional entanglements. It was inefficient and troublesome. But if Superman got in his way, Bardi wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.

Superman paused mid-step, then turned around to glare at Bardi.

Their eyes met in the darkness, like blades clashing in the night.

"You killed someone," Superman said, voice filled with anger. He took a step forward.

That Bardi knew his real name shocked him, but it wasn't unimaginable. What enraged him was seeing Batman execute someone live in front of the entire city. That was an act of fear-mongering, something he could not abide.

"I saved someone. I saved the lives of 120 people at Gotham TV. And you're focused on the one I killed?"

Bardi's voice was cold and steady. He pointed to Barbara. "She's poisoned. She has 23 minutes left to live. Because of your sudden appearance, she's even more injured. Multiple bones are broken."

"So tell me, are you going to stand here and argue with me, or are you going to get out of my way and let me save her?"

Superman glanced at Barbara. His azure eyes flickered. In a blink, he used his X-ray vision to scan her at the cellular level, instantly registering the physiological chaos spreading through her body.

His eyes narrowed slightly. He turned back to Bardi.

"I'll be watching you. Don't wear that cowl again."

With that, Superman leapt into the air and disappeared with a sharp sonic boom.

"I told you, you're in no position to lecture me."

Bardi's voice was calm, though Superman was already out of sight. He knew the Kryptonian could still hear him.

It was his final warning.

After Superman vanished, Bardi contacted Alfred to dispatch the Batfighter. It descended from the sky and picked up Barbara. Bardi boarded as well and began emergency stabilization.

Bardi returned to the Batcave carrying Barbara. Her body was limp. The bones in her arms and thighs were fractured in multiple places. After Superman's interference, her condition had worsened. The toxin may have even seeped into her bone marrow.

In the center of the Batcave stood a giant mechanical dinosaur. It had come from a dinosaur-themed amusement park once owned by Hunter Muly. Batman and Robin had fought through an entire gauntlet of animatronic dinosaurs there, eventually defeating the villain Steve. Batman kept one as a trophy, modifying it for defense. It now served as a kind of guard dog. Others had canines. Batman had a dinosaur.

At that moment, behind the towering T. rex, a figure emerged.

He wore a black suit with a blue "V" shape running from his shoulders to his chest. A mask covered his eyes.

Nightwing.

The first Robin. After falling out with Batman, he had struck out on his own. But when it truly mattered, they always came back for each other.

This time, sensing something was wrong, Nightwing had returned to Gotham.

"Bruce, you really stirred things up..."

Nightwing leaned against the dinosaur's claw, worry in his eyes, though a smirk still played at the corners of his mouth.

Bardi glanced at him, his face stern. He placed Barbara into the medical pod and immediately began drawing her blood, initiating analysis of the Joker's toxin.

With his knowledge, once he identified the compound, it would only take time to synthesize the antidote and save her.

(To be continued.)