Gotham is a black sheet of paper.
The white words written upon it are the steps you take down the road into darkness.
It's the first line of the last story you'll ever tell.
— "Batman: Gotham Impressions"
---
"Zzzzt… Gotham Gazette brings you the latest updates! The tense standoff between the Ventriloquist and the GCPD Evidence Bureau has lasted for over three hours. Experts believe—"
"…It's the usual case of freaks attracting freaks. Just a few days after the Arkham breakout… and of course, it's because of Batman. He draws them in…"
"At this time, Batman still hasn't shown up. Could the rumors of his death be true? Is Gotham PD really this helpless—wait! Something's happening! It's Batman! He's here!"
---
June rain poured endlessly over Gotham, but tonight, the plaza in front of the Evidence Bureau was louder and more chaotic than ever.
Before the Batmobile even came to a full stop, a swarm of reporters rushed toward it like flies to a corpse.
They shoved through protesters waving signs that read "We Don't Need Batman," clashing with police officers who struggled to keep order.
Camera flashes flickered like lightning.
"Batman! Is it true that Bane killed you?"
"What's your response to the Ventriloquist's challenge?"
"You freak! This is your fault! You attract these maniacs!"
"Grab him! Grab him!"
The protesters who tried to attack the Batmobile were quickly restrained, but Chen Tao paid them no mind.
Amid the chaos, under stares filled with admiration, coldness, and hatred alike, he opened the Batmobile's sliding canopy and inhaled the first breath of damp Gotham air.
Whoo—
He hadn't felt this nervous in a long time.
As an actor in his previous life, he should have been used to the spotlight.
But today was different. Entirely different.
---
He sighed.
Crossing into the DC Universe was one thing — as a hardcore comic fan, he figured he could handle it.
But who could have guessed he'd wake up in the body of Bruce Wayne himself — the legendary Batman?
Where was his promised "strong ally"?
How had he become the strong ally everyone relied on?
Everyone knows Batman — the only member of the Justice League without superpowers — is perhaps the most formidable human to ever live.
Rich beyond measure, a genius, a master of combat, possessed of unbreakable will.
He could outthink gods, fight Darkseid, and even take on the League itself.
But what did any of that have to do with him, Chen Tao?
Oh, right — they were both orphans.
A double-orphan combination. Stylish, maybe. Comforting? Not at all.
---
And to make things worse, he had arrived at one of the darkest points in Batman's timeline — the Knightfall arc, right before Bane would break the Dark Knight's spine.
This wasn't "hard mode." It was hell mode.
He had considered abandoning Gotham altogether, but quickly realized how foolish that was.
Bane knew Batman's real identity.
Running would only be suicide.
Once Bane took over the city, Chen Tao's fate would be sealed — death, or a lifetime in a wheelchair.
---
He glanced down, where faint silver text appeared before his eyes:
> [Alfred Protocol Active]
[Warning: Memory synchronization requires at least one anchor item!]
Damn it!
Other transmigrators show up, grab some Kryptonian crystal, and instantly become Superman.
He couldn't even get the original Batman's memories!
Three days had passed, and he'd tried everything — even messing with toilet paper in the Batcave — but nothing worked.
He knew that the Alfred Protocol was supposed to be a mechanical safeguard to protect Batman's mind,
but why was it showing up now like a holographic interface on his retina?!
---
"Batman!" a voice called out.
He turned — Commissioner Jim Gordon was hurrying toward him.
Dark circles hung under his eyes, his wet hair clung to his forehead, and his face carried the look of a man on the brink of exhaustion.
"God! Batman, you're alive! I saw Bane snap your neck! Are you really Batman — or is this the Joker in your suit, trying to play some twisted roleplay with me?"
"I am," Chen Tao replied simply. "Enough tests. I'm real. Don't believe the rumors."
He immediately caught the meaning behind Gordon's words — a subtle test.
Yes, the body was real, but the soul wasn't.
So please… don't find out.
Dealing with Gotham's sharp-minded people was tough.
Without Bruce's memories, he was forced to improvise every move.
---
He looked toward the rain-soaked Evidence Bureau building.
So this was the plan.
As a lifelong comic fan, he knew every villain in Gotham by heart.
With his acting skills — and his former experience as a psychiatrist —
he might just be able to manipulate or psychologically dominate some of the weaker villains,
then use them against Bane.
---
He turned to Gordon.
"Did you bring what I asked for?"
"Of course."
Gordon raised an evidence bag containing a grotesque wooden puppet head with a scarred face — Scarface, the Ventriloquist's favorite doll.
"Give it to me," Chen Tao said.
Gordon hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly handed it over.
Chen Tao exhaled softly in relief.
"The rumors are false," he explained. "The Batman Bane killed wasn't me — it was my disciple, Azrael."
"Right, right," Gordon muttered quickly, clearly not wanting to pursue the topic further.
---
Batman gave him a deep, unreadable look.
"We'll talk about it later."
Then he retrieved a large duffel bag from the Batmobile, took the puppet, and walked toward the Bureau's entrance under hundreds of watching eyes.
As he stepped into the rain, he whispered quietly:
> Ladies and gentlemen.
The props are ready.
The actor is in position.
Allow me to announce—
The performance begins.