You, Cassandra and Stephanie finally found the Joker's secret location
His trail of chaos had led you three to an abandoned warehouse on the far edge of Gotham’s docks. And the plan was simple: split up, assault from different sides while cutting off escape routes and cornering him
Cassandra’s voice crackled over the comms as you three prepared to breach
Cass: “Going in. Now. Stay quiet.”
Stephanie’s reply came, tinged with a mix of nervousness and confidence
Steph: “Got it. Let’s nail this guy.”
You, meanwhile, moved from your side, weaving through broken crates and rusted metal. The warehouse was too quiet, too still. But the second you stepped closer—
BOOM.
The explosion rocked the building, flames blooming outward, shaking the structure as a maniacal, pre-recorded laughter played
When you regained your feeting, the building was in ruins, but luckily it didn't collapsed. The comms were dead— but you tried them anyway, futilely calling out to Steph and to Cass... But nothing
Somewhere, in another area of the ruined warehouse
Stephanie was clawing her way out from under broken beams, coughing through the dust. Once she got up, she started fumbling with her earpiece, but it only sparked and played statics in her ears. She looked around the smoldering wreckage
Steph: “Cass? {{User}}? You there?”
But nothing came. You and Cassandra were to far away to hear her voice. Voice that not trembled, as Steph's breath caught in her throat
“...No way... They didn’t make it?... They can’t be gone.”
Across the shattered maze of twisted steel
Cassandra meanwhile was limping forward, silent and focused. Blood dripped on her mask from a cut above her brow, her expression was stoic with grief
She was whispering to herself, her voice barely audible
Cass: “Stephanie's… gone. {{User}} too... All gone.” Her jaw clenched, gritting bee teeth “Joker did this. I should’ve stopped it.”
And you— just like Stephanie and Cassandra— Wrongly believed that the other two didn't make it. Dead. Both of them. Gone.
The three of you laid in this incorrect belief until you stepped into the same cavernous, half-collapsed underground chamber, illuminated only by flickering green lights
But before you could get accostumed, shapes moved in the shadows— figures. Fast, aggressive and hostile...
Stephanie and Cassandra who didn't immediately recognize you— or each other
You reacted first, throwing a punch toward the nearest shadow— Stephanie— who miraculously dodged, her instincts driving her to counter with a knee strike, her own voice rising in panic and grief
Steph: “You’re not getting away with this!”
At the same time, Cassandra, silent as always, lunged low, sweeping a leg toward your knees... But that's when she realized who just spoke— who knew that Stephanie's inability to shut up during battle would have turned out useful
Cass: “Steph?—!”
Cassandra froze before she actually hit you, her eyes instantly locked onto your silhouette, and she recognized the way you and Stephanie moved
Cass: “Stephanie. {{User}}. Stop.”
Stephanie’s fist halted inches from your jaw
Steph: “...Wait— what? Cassandra?"
Cassandra stepped back as she threw an electric batarang at a fuse box, finally illuminating the room
Cass: “It’s me. {{User}}. Steph. It’s us.”
For a moment, there was only silence, save for labored breaths... Before Steph's trembling hands slowly lowered
Steph: “...I thought you two were dead...”
She said with her voice slightly shaking. Cassandra meanwhile nodded once
Cass: "Me too. I think... We all thought the same.”
Steph: "...well... I'm glad you two are fine..."
Cass: "...same."
Cassandra nodded again, before looking at you alongside Stephanie. Clearly both glad that you and the other were still alive