Well—
Thump.
Bane's mask hit the ground.
The black-and-white hood, even though cracked,had been clinging tight to his head through battle- finally fell off.
And with it… Bane's self also fell into darkness.
[Warning! Warning! Anchored object detected:]
[Bane's Mask]
[Introduction: This is the mask that fell after Bane endured the siege of fifty thousand troops, the Joker's venom, and the corrosion of the Black Decay. Along with the mask, Bane's proud self was also dragged into the mud. It may allow you to summon a Batman from a parallel world.]
Bruce almost forgot about the Alfred Protocol.
[But can something born from corruption summon a pure identity?]
[No! Hahaha—this is… Joker's gas? Don't make me laugh! I'm Bane! The hero gotham needs! I can't—ahahahaha—I can't be beaten by something this pathetic! Aaaaaaaagh! Hoooowwwww? Just how is this affecting me?ahahahahah...]
[Warning! Warning! Batman #52 is too far from the anchor object. Secure it immediately!]
Bruce's eyes flicked between the mask at Bane's feet and the system panel.
'Batman #52… that is too much of a coincidence to be a normal number.'
(Note: referring to new52 era)
Just then his comms activated. Then came a shocking news.
(.... ... ....)
("What? What did you say happened?")
(.. ..... .... ...)
("Okay. I get it. Search for him as much as you can. I am providing you the access to my satellites. Over")
(....)
Meanwhile, the Decay spread through the forest. Trees shriveled and collapsed, rotting instantly. Right before Harley Quinn's eyes,a tree crumbled into a heap of decaying wood.
Squirrels and other small animals scattered in blind panic. Their tiny minds unable to comprehend the sudden change.
Harley reached instinctively to grab one—
Bang.
Deadshot blew it apart.
"Hey—What the hell, you—"
"Look closer."
Harley turned back just in time to see the "squirrel" twitch violently, it's shriek splitting the air.
The creature raised it's head.Maggots spilled out of its eyes. Its skin tore like paper. Slugs of insects dripped from the crack of its body.
Its flesh twisted into something spiderlike, dripping slime as it lunged for Harley.
Bang!
Deadshot shot it mid-air, then calmly pulled out a flame pistol from the back.
With one casual flick,he torched the thing. The smell of burning rot filled the forest as the creature shrieked,twitching in the fire as it fell still.
Deatshot took a few steps back. "I have never seen anything like that in my life."
Poison Ivy didn't waste words. She raised her hand and vines erupted from the ground, wrapping Harley in a living armor of Green.
"Harley, Be Careful. The Black feeds on the weak. The Green will shield you—at least for now."
Deadshot cocked his head from the side. "Make me one too."
Poison ivy ignored him.
"Red! You're the best!" Harley hugged Ivy, squealing with relief.
"Why not me?" Deadshot muttered. "I'm scared of dying too, y'know."
"Get lost," both women snapped in unison.
But even Ivy's conjured armour wasn't safe. The vibrant vines blackened and withered at the edges under the spreading Decay.
----
Solomon Grundy stomped forward, glaring at the creeping black filth beneath his feet. His corpse-face twisted in disgust.
"Grundy… hates this!" He growled.
"Pamela," Batman's low voice cut through the chaos.
Forcing his tensed mind into ease he asks ivy "How much more of the Green can you channel?"
She hesitated, glancing at the broken figure nearby.
The Plant Master.
Jason Wood lay bound, a ruin of his former self. His leaves were brittle, his bark-skin gray and cracked, like a hundred-year-old man shriveled on his deathbed.
And Batman knew -this was his fault.
Bruce shoved away the guilt. No time for that.
Ivy released the vines blocking his mouth. "Jason—we need your help!"
Bruce pressed in with a look of understanding "Where's the tuber of the Swamp Monster?"
Jason wheezed, but before he could answer, Zombie Bane staggered forward. His laughter was layered—multiple voices fighting for control inside his corpse.
"We are the Three Hunters! A human's toxin can't affect us! Never! Hahaha! How dare it?"
Another voice snarled back
"Shut up—don't humiliate yourself! Just ignore it. He is still partially alive -The Red is protecting him. But why?"
"Okay. Haha... Enough talk. There is no time for this. Get ready—"
BAM.
Grundy's fist smashed Zombie Bane across the jaw. The monster didn't even flinch—just laughed louder and wrapped Grundy in a grotesque hug.
"Fool! Prepare to face the power of The Kingdom of Decay! Hahaha!"
Batman whispered to Ivy, "Grundy's an undead abomination. Neither dead nor alive. The black can't consume him fully. But don't expect him to help us either. This mindless thing isn't strong enough to defeat zombified Bane."
"I know! I'm trying! Don't rush me."
----
Ivy and tore into Plant Master's body, searching his wodden flesh while killer croc reached into his stomach. Digging around.
Of course this was all for nothing.
Frustrated, Ivy grabbed Jason's face. Forcing him to meet her eyes. "Listen to me jason! The Black is here. If you don't help us, we're all dead !''
"Is this it?" Killer Croc suddenly held up something slimy. A hardened, green lump,it's surface coated in sticky slime.
Ivy glanced once then shook her head. "That's just waste. The residue left after he digests nutrients."
She turned back to Jason, voice breaking "Damn it, Jason—whatever our history, whatever grudges—we're part of the Green. All of us. Do you want the Black to win?"
Jason's eyes flickered, a shred of humanity surfacing. His lips curled. "You're guilt-tripping me… you traitorous bitch."
"Ugh." Croc gagged. Fighting down nausea, he stuffed the lump back inside Jason.
"Jason!" Ivy snapped. Desperation cracked her voice. "We were a couple after all… I still—"
"That's enough." Bruce cut her off, shoving Jason's head toward the battle. Grundy and Bane locked into each other while Deadshot and Cheshire unloaded everytime they had into the rotting giant.
"If the Black wins, we all die. And before I go down, I'll throw you to it myself."
Silence.
Jason trembled… then with a violent gag —
—vomited out two glowing tubers.