Powerless - A My Hero Academia/ DC Crossover

Chapter 49 - Clash of the Titans

The roaring engines of the Batmobile died to a still idol as it stopped outside the old Ace Chemicals building. Ace chemicals had been in Gotham for decades, and had long been associated with criminal ties, being a known hotspot for the trafficking of illegal and illicit materials. Bruce Wayne had petitioned to dismantle the company for years, and had even made attempts to purchase it, but was refused each time by their board of directors. The company was nothing if not resilient.

Batman used his grapple gun to enter the building through the access door on the roof. As he made his way down to the main factory, where they housed the large chemical vats, he was unwillingly filled with a sense of nostalgia. It had been years since he had been in this building, but he could still remember that fateful day: an APB over the police scanner about intruders. They were attempting to gain access to the playing card company that was next to it. Two well-known criminals, and one rookie in a red-domed helmet and tuxedo. The two criminals were gunned down by security, but they were the lucky ones. Despite his attempts to save him, the hooded criminal fell into the toxic vats below.

"Fun memories, eh Batsy?" Came a voice from above him.

Batman immediately drew a batarang from his belt, looking to the source of the voice. The Joker was on one of the platforms above him. Batman threw his batarang, but the Joker simply ducked beneath it as it crashed through the window behind him and flew off into the distance.

"Easy, Batman! I just got my hair cut," The Joker erupted in laughter.

"It's over, Joker," Said Batman. "Shield is making an antiserum to the Titan formula as we speak, and you're going back to Arkham."

"Blah, blah, blah!" Said Joker, forming a talking mouth with his hand and mimicking Batman's speech. "I swear Batsy, every time you get a new boy wonder, you spend less and less time with me! I mean, really, do I have to send another one to the farm before you'll finally get the picture that you shouldn't be keeping pets around?"

Batman used the grapple gun to launch himself upwards, colliding with the Joker and crashing out of the window. The Joker continued his maniacal laughter as he and Batman plummeted to the ground, hitting it hard. Batman stood, grabbing Joker by the shirt and landing blow after blow across his face. The Joker's laughter just grew with each hit.

"Why are you targeting Midoriya?!" Shouted Batman between blows.

"Because it's fun!" Said the Joker, spitting blood on the ground beneath him. Batman picked him up and threw the Joker into the wall of the building, punching him hard in the solar plexus, chest and face before throwing him back to the ground.

"That's it!" Said Joker, trying to crawl away. "Get mad! Get angry! Knock me off, put an end to this once and for all! Here, I'll give you this one for free!" He shakily rose to his feet and stuck his chin out invitingly. Batman heard a familiar sickening crack as his fist connected against the Joker's protruding chin, sending him down to the ground. The Joker's laughs continued, albeit weaker than they were before. Batman grabbed him by his throat and raised him up off his feet.

"Tell me where the Titan formula is! NOW!!" Shouted Batman.

"Better, yet, bats, I'll just give it to you," Choked the Joker. Faster than lightning, he jammed a syringe in Batman's outstretched arm. Batman roared with pain before dropping the Joker, pulling the syringe from his arm. Immediately Batman began to swoon, his vision doubling. He dropped to his knee, failing to keep himself upright.

"What's wrong?" Said Joker, kicking him hard in the face. "Looks like something's not agreeing with you!"

"You. . . won't win. . ." Said Batman. He felt as if his body was on fire. He could already feel a change come over him as his muscle fibers began to twitch and grow.