THE FALL OF GOTHAM

By- Sonit Agrawal

I was born with powers. Powers and abilities found only in the blood of a
now extinct race. The power of superhuman speed and strength. My
superhuman senses. I am almost immortal. The only thing that holds the
capability to stop is one small mineral. Still this mere mortal who goes by
the name of Dark Knight dares to challenge me. Does he not realise the
extent of my powers. He is powerless. All he has is an armoured suit and a
utility belt. I will kill him in his own backyard for the whole wide world to
see. thought Superman as he flew towards Gotham. His eyes were pitch
black instead of the usual blue.
Bruce was in his batcave tinkering with his batsuit and at the same time
looking for possible leads towards finding the sadistic psychopathic
criminal called Joker. Suddenly, alarm bells started ringing furiously. Bruce
checked the computer he used to keep watch on the city through his
extensive electronic surveillance equipment. Some mad person in a red
cape and blue suit was wreaking havoc in the city. Bruce was shocked on
seeing the extent of the powers this new person had. Suddenly Bruce
realised something that was almost unbelievable. He could not believe
that the person who was destroying the city was his close friend
Superman. However, something was amiss. Superman looked possessed.
Worried, Bruce realised he needed help.
Banner was working on the alien technology that had been left behind by
the Chitauri during their invasion of New York last year. It was because of
a group of like minded superheroes that New York still stood tall today.
Suddenly his emergency cell pinged. Banner was suddenly alert. He
anxiously picked up the mobile and listened to the voice on the other side
carefully. Thankfully, he was in town and could pop in to help. It was time
for the Green Giant to come out.

Batman started the batmobile and entered the coordinates to where

Superman was wreaking havoc. During the ride he started developing a
strategy on how to defeat Superman. Quickly, Batman realised that it was
impossible to defeat Superman alone. His thoughts took a darker and
gloomier tone.
I was not born with powers like Superman was. Nor had I any plans to be
a vigilante. However, a cruel twist of fate left me both fatherless and
motherless in a single moment. Thank god for Alfred, without whom I
would have been dead or worse a long time ago. I have spent the last ten
years fighting crime in Gotham and trying to free the city from the
rampant corruption that controls the city. I developed my physical and
mental skills to achieve my goal. Till today, I have been successful in
cleaning the streets of Gotham. I just never anticipated that all my work
would be undone by an adversary so unexpected. I will fight. A fight to
save Gotham. A fight to save Superman from the evil that has
overpowered him.
Superman had expected that the carnage he had unleashed would alert
Batman and force him to come to the rescue. Strangely, he felt at peace
after destroying so much. He hoped Batman would come quickly.
Suddenly, he heard Batmans voice. The puny mortal was requesting him,
no, begging him to stop. Superman ignored the voice and continued his
rampage. Suddenly, he felt a small tingling sensation on his back. He
realised that Batman had fired a missile.
Batman was shocked. He had expected at least some reaction to his
requests. Sadly, he had fired a missile but it had simply no effect on
Superman.

He was way too powerful. His powers had multiplied after

being overcome by some evil sorcery. Superman started walking towards

him. Batman decided to wait out Superman and wait for Banner to arrive.
Batman decided to apply evasive tactics. However, Superman was not in
the least bit worried. Using his superhuman speed and reflexes he stopped
Batman immediately and started to strangle him. He was about to kill
Batman. Suddenly, he was knocked off his feet and fell into a building 100

metres behind. He opened his eyes to find a Green coloured monster

shouting Hulk Smash on the top of his voice. Superman smiled. At last,
things were getting interesting. Batman was worthless. This Hulk guy
seemed more of a challenge. Superman threw Batman away like a piece
of rock and took flight.
Superman rushed into the Hulk with tremendous force and knocked him
back through two buildings. This only made Hulk angrier. Thus, started a
fight of pure power and strength. Batman could only watch on regaining
consciousness as Superman pummelled Hulk with all his strength but this
only angered

the Hulk

more who

fought back

with even more

ferociousness and tenacity. What Superman did not know was that a few
years ago Banner had been hit with a blast of gamma bomb which had
created this green monster. Whenever, Banner underwent emotional
stress, he transformed from an intelligent human being into a raging
Frankenstein type monster with limitless strength. Suddenly, Batman
realised that Superman had done the impossible. Hulk was getting tired
and losing his power. Eventually, Superman was going to kill Hulk. For only
the second time in his life, Bruce felt fear.
Suddenly, the fighting came to a stop. Superman kneeled down in pain
and passed out. A green mineral stuck to his body like a permanent
tattoo.
Youre Welcome, said Iron Man. He had used a rocket launcher in his suit
to fire a kryptonite shard.
Batman could only stare. Finally, he asked How did you know?
Tony replied, The green guy called me on his way in. He was shit scared.
Seems he was right after all.
After this brief appearance, Tony returned to Los Angeles. He was
apparently working on a secret defence project called ULTRON. Gotham
would take a lot of time to get back on its feet. There had been a lot of
death and destruction. The city was a fighter. Banner had returned to his

normal state. Superman was fine. The last thing he remembered was
fighting a person known for his telepathic powers, Professor Xavier.
Faraway in New York, Professor X smiled as he saw the news on television.
His eyes were pitch black.