In an alternate ending in
Batman: Arkham City it gives players a choice as Catwoman. Catwoman is about to leave with money she stole from the vault. She learns that Batman is knocked out and dying. You get a choice. The good choice has Catwoman goes to save Batman. The bad choice is far worse. The bad choice Catwoman leaves Batman to die and it turns out worse for Gotham. In the video about you hear Barbara Gordon giving a S.O.S. Barbara says how Bruce, Robin, Nightwing and her father Jim Gordon are dead. She also states that the Joker won. How could this ending happen? There is no way the joker could have survived the night left alone destroy Gotham. I’m going to study and look over what happened and show you what really is going on.
Let’s start with the Batman & Mr. Freeze fight. Batman and Mr. Freeze were fighting. Freeze made two cures but destroyed one because he learned Joker had Nora, which led to a disagreement with Freeze and Batman. During their fight, Harley snuck in and stole the cure Freeze made. While Harley was going to Joker she was taking down by Talia and Talia stole the cure from Harley. Joker still went on with his plan and Joker looked like he was in perfect health and took it. After defeating and looking like he was about to kill Batman, Talia comes in promising Joker a dip in the Lazarus Pit. Joker and Talia leave, leaving Batman to die. The Joker thinks Batman has the cure. If the Batman is dead, the Joker won’t receive it. The Joker doesn’t know Talia is the one who really has the cure. As stated, Talia is the one who took it from Harley. Also if Batman doesn’t come, he can’t save Talia. Talia would most likely die because the she wouldn’t give the Joker the Lazarus Pit. The real Joker would die. But maybe Clayface takes over as Joker. Clayface would finish what Joker wanted in the destruction of Gotham. The thing is before the nights is over, Clayface would have died or have no resources to destroy Gotham. Protocol 10 was designed to kill every criminal in Gotham. They had them all trapped in Arkham City. With no Batman to stop Protocol 10, Protocol 10 would have continued and kill all the inmates and Joker henchmen. If Clayface goes as the Joker he would have been killed or revealed. There is no way the Joker would have won as Barbara stated.
What about Robin and Nightwing? How did they die? In the non-canon comic series called
Batman: Arkham Unhinged, it has a story that most likely is canon. After Protocol 10 begins, Stange sends Tyger guards to Wayne Manor to destroy it. In the comic, Robin and Nightwing defend Wayne Manor. I say this might be canon because in the Nightwing Map Pack, 2 maps come with it and both take place in Wayne Manor. Lets say this is how Robin and Nightwing fall and die.
Now is this the same ending Azrael forwarded Batman about? Azrael’s message with Batman states the following:
Azrael: I knew you would find me.
Batman: It's wasn't hard, you left me a map. Who are you, and what do you want? Why are you watching me?
Azrael: We have been given many names, but you will come to know me as Azrael, loyal servant to the order of St. Dumas.
Batman: Just what I need. Another secret society.
Azrael: I bring a message: dark days are coming, Batman. The Prophecy is coming true, you are the warrior who will close the gates of Hell, you are the one who will save this day, and in doing so, events will occur that you cannot stop, from the ashes of Arkham the fires will rage and Gotham will burn, and you, you will burn too.
Batman: I don't believe in fairy tales.
Azrael: Believe what you will. The message has been delivered. We will meet again.
Barbara’s message makes it clear that Gotham is falling but is this same message Azrael promises to Batman? Is the Joker winning part of the message?
Now comes the kicker. The mastermind who is really behind this attack is Scarecrow. Hear me out for a second. Scarecrow’s fear gas makes peoples see their worse nightmares come alive. Gotham believes the Joker is dead and are rejoicing. The worst fear Gotham has is the Joker coming back. Now we know Scarecrow is developing a new type of fear gas. Maybe Scarecrow is planning on showing Gotham its worst nightmare: the return and victory of the Joker. Barbara states that the Joker won but eyes can deceive the mind. Just because you see something doesn’t necessary mean its true. Scarecrow’s fear gas is know for this effect. Scarecrow is already the rumored main villain for the sequel to Arkham City because of the vast of easter eggs he had. Its clear Barbara saw Joker but the real Joker would die. Clayface would either die or live. Even if Clayface lived he couldn't do this plan as the Joker, all of the criminals in Gotham are dead. He has no gang. Could Scarecrow bring Gotham’s worst nightmare alive with his fear gas?
What are your thoughts? Do you agree? Do you believe that Barbara was under the control of Scarecrow’s fear gas or does the Joker have something up his selves? Comment below. Peace.