Batman flew over the Crystal Empire as he continued to watch over it during the same morning in which the deadly chaos commenced. As he had sworn to protect the Crystal Empire at all costs, he had to be very vigilant in his watch over the Empire (besides all of Equestria).
Suddenly, Candace flew out of the Crystal Castle and met the Dark Knight in midair. “Good morning, Batman! Beautiful morning today, isn’t it?” she joyfully greeted.
“I agree, Princess. How are you feeling now?” Batman asked.
“Better than ever! The sickness is fully gone, and I’m now ready to take on the duties for the day!” Cadence boasted.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Batman smiled.
“Thanks. Come, there is a place I want to show you.” Cadence directed as she flew out toward the lower half of the castle. Batman followed her there.
AT THE SAME TIME
The Joker giggled as he started to take so much pleasure in the carnage he orchestrated. He was hiding in a cave where Discord appeared in a white flash and rendezvous with him. Once Joker saw his chaotic ally enter into the rocky room, he enlarged his devilish grin. “Well, that went well as expected.” Discord smirked.
“Indeed, Discord.” Joker agreed.
“Don't you think this...Batman or whoever he is...will follow us and eventually discover our plans? You did claim he is a skilled detective.” Discord doubted.
“Oh, he is definitely. The main goal is to actually do something...similar.” Joker said.
“Really? What would that be exactly?” Discord asked.
Joker whispered it in his ear. Discord was slightly surprised at first until he slowly grinned as he heard his plan. “Ohhh!! Now that is truly chaotic!!” he exclaimed.
“Yes! I said this before and I will say it again: Madness is like gravity; all it takes is a little push!”. He and Discord laughed together as they formulated another plan to tear apart Equestria.
BACK IN THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE
“This way.” Cadence said to Batman. They both walked in the palace halls of the castle in the lower section. After five minutes of walking, they found the Crystal Heart right in front of them. Batman gazed on it as he found it to be very similar.
“Do you know what this is?” Cadence asked.
“This looks like a crystal heart...like the one that helped me defeat King Sombra.” Batman recalled. He looked upon his chest where his bat symbol started to glow bright blue and displayed the small crystal heart.
“It is. This is what keeps the Crystal Empire safe and sound. It also keeps the storms of winter at bay and helps the kingdom to shine and prosper with both love and hope.” Cadence explained, looking at the Crystal Heart.
Batman took note of it by heart. “Interesting.” he commented.
“This must be kept safe and secure at all times, Batman. I know you will use all of your skill and strength to prevent any dangerous creature from either corrupting or destroying it.” Cadence said.
“You have my word. As long as the crystal magic resides within me, anyone who will stand against us will have to face me first.” Batman said.
“You’re Equestria’s greatest hero, Batman. We are glad to have you with us.” Cadence praised before she and Batman embraced.
Suddenly, a letter appeared out of thin air and floated next to Cadence. Curious to know what the letter was about, she opened it with her magic and read the letter. Moments later, her eyes widened in fear and shock.
“Batman, Canterlot is in deep trouble! We have to help our friends there!” she exclaimed.
“Come on!” Batman said before opening a portal with his crystal magic. Both he and Cadence entered in it before it closed.
IN CANTERLOT
Batman and Cadence exited out of the portal and found themselves in front of a destroyed library. The inferno was extinguished by the fire ponies and saw multiple medics treating the wounded both the critical and stable ones. Finally, they noticed the other medics take away the three burnt corpses off to the hospital.
“Batman! Candace! Thank goodness you’re here!” Celestia welcomed them from above. She landed in front of them and briefly hugged them.
“What happened?” Batman asked.
“Somepony or something managed to destroy the Canterlot library. We don’t know who did this terrible thing, but the authorities are currently investigating this incident.” Celestia informed.
“That is terrible! I can’t imagine anypony doing something like this!” Cadence yelled as tears flowed from her eyes.
“I know. However. I discovered a strange object on the ground. This strange card...” Celestia said, levitating the Joker card to their attention.
Batman immediately grabbed the card and instantly recognized it. The realization quickly hit him once he examined it. His emotions were a mixture of fear, rage, vengeance, and absolute shock. How is it that the Clown Prince of Crime made it to Equestria?!? Why now and how was that even possible were the raging questions he had in his disturbed mind.
“I have a clear idea who did this...” Batman growled with a hint of rising rage in his tone.
“You do? Who was it?” Celestia asked.
“The Joker.” Batman said, glaring hard at the ground.
Celestia was caught off-guard with confusion whereas Cadence was surprised but already had an idea who he was since Batman told her and Shining Armor about him the past night. “Joker? Who’s Joker?” Celestia asked.
“Batman told me and Shining Armor about him last night. He is known as the Clown Prince of Crime in Gotham City as well as notorious for his mass murder, deceptions, manipulation, dark twisted humor, and many more crimes.” Cadence explained.
“A clown who commits atrocities? I’ve never heard of this concept before.” Celestia admitted.
“Plus, after he commits a crime, he would always leave behind a calling card like this one.” Batman added, holding up the Joker card in his left hand. “The real question is how was he able to transport himself from Gotham to Equestria? That is the question I must find out once I find him.”
“But how would we be able to find him? None of us know where he is in Equestria!” Cadence said.
“That is why I will be investigating. I’m sorry for the losses you suffered, Princess Celestia. I’ll visit the injured ponies in the hospital soon. For now, I need to find the Joker.” Batman said before taking off to the air with his grappling gun.
“I truly hope he succeeds in his mission. Come, niece. We need to help the wounded.” Celestia ordered.
“Yes, Auntie.” Cadence complied. They both flew off to attend the injured on the streets. However, none of them noticed Discord seeing them from on top of a white cloud.
“I’m surprised Cadence didn’t recognize my handwriting in that letter I sent to her. She actually took it as Celestia’s? Am I that good in imitating hoof-writings of ponies or what? Haha!” he congratulated himself. “Now time for the next step.” He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
“Why Joker?! Why here?! Why now?!” Batman raged in thought as he flew in the air.