A grotesque plauge

Prologue. Trigger Happy

C.2014

Statement from Commissioner James Gordon regarding the passing of Batman;  AKA Bruce Wayne via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram :

I remember it as if it happened yesterday, those same sequences of events occurring after the merciless killing of his son Robin at the hands of Joker, all hell broke loose. He declared absolute war. The Justice League was too helpless to stop him. Every inmate at Arkham was either brain-dead or truly broken beyond repair
The Joker knew he'd be coming, but he didn't know what made Batman tick so bad this time. Was seeing his son die the straw that broke the camel's back, I still don't know. They had one final battle, the very factory that created the Joker; he live-streamed it everywhere possible. He wanted the world to watch In awe and horror as Batman broke his no-kill rule. He gave Batman the ultimatum, reveal himself and kill Joker or kill Joker as Batman and all of Gotham dies, perishing in a choir of symphony and chaos. It was there on that day when I learned Batman truly always was 2 steps ahead. He had Barba shut off power to the entire city so none could see the livestream. All we know Is that Batman fought Joker unmasked, so the triggers didn't go off; 6 hours after the power was shut off, everything came back on, and the cameras began streaming again to show a horrifying sight. Batman was truly out for blood, he was damn near lynching the Joker. Til horror struck, Joker had sprayed Batman with the most powerful laughing gas and threw himself into the acid that made him the madman he was today. As Batman lost control the power went out for 5 minutes. Though fate was quite predicted, Batman lay dead with a note in his right hand, He had engaged the killswitch in case of a situation like this. The note merely read, "You were right, Gordon, the world deserves a hero. Let them know who I was." And it was at that point the world learned Bruce Wayne was Batman. I always admired his vigilante and his detective work, he had a heart of gold, even if it was covered in darkness. I'd always seen him not only as a good man through charity but a good friend throughout life. He has stated in his will, all money go to as many charities and causes that he can afford, specifically orphanages. His butler Alfred is as heartbroken as I am, perhaps more. He raised him since he was about 4 years old; since then, Alfred has retired, and after the smoke settles, I'm going to take my leave and retire too. I still am and forever will be heartbroken by this tragic twist of fate. May you rest easy now, Bruce; you fought hard enough.
Rest in peace not only to a good hero. But the best man who ever lived. Thank you for your service. You will forever be be honored.