Batgirl and Robin opened their eyes slowly.
They were tied together, back to back.
They sat on the cold ground, disoriented for only a second before instinct forced clarity.
A voice reached them.
“Awake already?
That’s impressive.
It has been barely a twenty minutes since you were out cold.” They turned their heads as much as they could.
The strange butler stood nearby, the same one who had taken them down.
Black suit.
Perfect posture.
A white mask with no eye holes, angled toward them.
Before they could respond.
Joker’s voice came.
“Alfred!
More!” The Joker’s voice echoed from the dining area.
“Right up, Master Joker,” the butler replied immediately.
The two watched in silence as he moved away from them, carrying plates toward the group of criminals.
Laughter, chewing, and the occasional satisfied groan filled the space.
The contrast between that and the situation they were in made the entire scene feel… off.
It was not like the Joker.
He returned moments later and resumed working behind the counter.
Batgirl frowned.
“What is going on here?” Without turning fully, Alfred replied, “Master Joker’s insatiable hunger.” A brief pause.
“Did you know he is a big fan of Chinese food?” Batgirl’s expression shifted into something between confusion and disbelief.
“what?” She shook her head, regaining focus.
“You’re the one who took us down.
Who are you?” “I am Alfred,” he replied simply.
“A butler.
Nice to meet you.
I wish it were under better circumstances.” Robin blinked.
“Wow.
Did the Joker hire you?” “You could say that,” Alfred answered.
“Though I am currently on a trial period.” He stepped away from the counter and approached them, kneeling down.
In his hands were two small boxes.
He placed them beside the two heroes carefully.
“As a butler,” he said, “it is my responsibility to ensure guests receive proper treatment, even if my master is… occupied with other matters.” He gestured lightly toward the dining area.
“Please understand, due to the nature of your work, I cannot in good faith to my master allow you to be freed and enjoy the dessert.
However, you may take the dessert once you are free from here.” Batgirl stared at the boxes, then at him.
“What are you trying to do?” “As I said,” Alfred replied, “I am a butler.
This is my duty.
The only reason Master Joker has not killed you is because he is waiting for your employer.” That made both of them pause.
They exchanged a quick look, something unspoken passing between them.
Before either could respond, Harley suddenly leaned over the counter, peering suspiciously toward the boxes.
“I knew it!” she said.
“You put something for them, didn’t ya?
Alfy!
How could you do that?” Alfred replied.
“They are our guests, Mistress Harley.
It would damage our reputation if we fail to act as proper hosts.” Harley frowned.
“No, they’re our prisoners.” “If that is the case,” Alfred replied without missing a beat, “then it is our responsibility to keep them fed and warm.” Harley blinked “what is wrong with you?” “I am a butler.” She stared at him for another second, then turned away, muttering under her breath.
“Butlers are weird.” On the ground, tied together, Batgirl and Robin shared another look.
This situation was wrong.
Batgirl decided to try a different approach.
She lowered her voice.
“You don’t sound like someone who should be working with people like Joker,” she said.
“Why not free us?
The three of us can handle them.” Alfred shook his head faintly.
“What kind of butler would I be if I did that?
I cannot, in good faith, betray my master.” “You’d be a very good butler,” Robin said quickly.
“And if you do that, we can give you a recommendation.
Maybe even hire you.” Alfred paused.
Then replied, almost thoughtfully, “I appreciate the offer.
However, I cannot agree.” A small tilt of his head.
“Even if my agreement with the Joker ends… I can smell it on you.” Robin frowned.
“Smell what?” “The scent of an English butler serving old money,” Alfred said.
“You reside under someone experienced.
A master of the craft.
At least sixty years old.” Silence.
Batgirl’s eyes widened.
Robin froze.
“How could I dare,” Alfred continued, tone almost respectful, “to infringe upon my senior’s household?” Neither of them spoke.
Then Alfred’s head shifted, as if noticing something beyond them.
“Oh,” he said.
A pause.
“It seems your employer is here.” Both of them stiffened.
“He is sneaking in the background,” Alfred added.
“Just like you did.” He straightened.
“Please allow me a moment to inform Master Joker.” And with that, he turned and walked away.
Robin stared after him, voice low and incredulous.
“How did he smell that?” Batgirl was speechless for a moment, did he know their identity?
Or did possess a unique ability to other butlers?
Alfred approached the villains and his goon with unhurried steps.
“Master Joker,” he said, “your guest is here.” The effect was immediate.
The Joker stopped eating mid-bite, and so did everyone else.
Everyone rose at once, weapons drawn, eyes searching the shadows.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant from indulgent chaos to lethal readiness.
Alfred, however, continued as if nothing had changed.
“If I may, sir,” he added politely, “please wipe your face.
It is no way to meet someone like that.” The Joker turned his head slowly toward him.
His face was covered in food.
“It is not the time for your weird-ass behavior,” the Joker said flatly.
“Give me my gun.” “Master, I insist you clean your face first,” Alfred replied.
A brief silence followed.
The Joker’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint settling in them.
“What kind of a butler speaks to his master like that?” he asked, voice dropping.
“Apologies,” Alfred said immediately, extending the gun toward him.
The Joker took it, still staring for a second longer.
“Step back.” Alfred complied without a word, stepping away and giving him space.
The Joker held his gaze for a moment, then turned toward the shadows.
“Batsy!” he called out, voice rising with manic delight.
“I know you’re here!
Come out from wherever you’re hiding!” As his voice echoed, a dozen small black spheres flew from the darkness and struck the ground.
The next instant, smoke exploded, swallowing the entire area.
Alfred took another step back, already understanding what was happening.
Batman was creating cover for his sidekicks.
His attention shifted briefly toward where Batgirl and Robin had been tied.
He already knew the bat family always had hidden tools, removing their belts was never enough.
He remained still, observing.
If the Joker gave the order to fight, then as things stood and with his current abilities, he was incapable of winning.
Batman alone was a threat, especially with the advantage of his tools.
Batman with his sidekicks present was even harder.
Alfred’s mind adjusted, calculating what would be required to carry the order if given.
He needs a greater speed, more strength, and refined skills.
Then the sounds came.
Groans.
Bodies hitting the ground.
Gunfire, brief and chaotic.
It lasted only moments.
When the smoke cleared, the outcome was already decided.
Every goon lay unconscious.
Harley remained standing, engaged in an erratic but energetic fight with Batgirl and Robin.
And at the center of it all, Batman stood in silence, his figure dark and imposing as he looked down at the Joker, who had been knocked to the ground.
“Damn, Batsy,” the Joker muttered, pushing himself up.
“You hit hard.” He glanced around, taking in the state of his crew.
For a brief moment, annoyance crossed his face, then something clicked.
He turned his head.
“Alfy,” he said, “why are you still standing back while your master is getting hit?” “You told me to do so,” Alfred replied.
Joker raised an eyebrow at that.
“right… I did that” the Joker muttered.
Then his grin returned.
“Attack the big bat.” Alfred stepped forward.
Batman’s attention shifted immediately, his stance tightening just slightly.
He had no recollection of this person.
And he was clearly not like the others.
Something about him screamed discipline.
Alfred stopped a few steps away.
“Nothing personal, Mr.
Batman,” he said.
Then he moved.
He closed the distance in a single step, his punch powerful and direct.
Batman blocked instantly and countered with a strike aimed at Alfred’s head.
Alfred slipped past it, his body moving with controlled efficiency, and responded with a kick.
Batman adjusted to block then returned the blow.
The exchange of blows started.
It was clean and controlled, like two martial artists performing.
Still on the ground, the Joker stared, a look of genuine surprise crossing his face.
“What the hell,” he muttered.
His strange butler was keeping up.
He didn’t expect that, at most he would be able to last a little longer than the rest of his goons.
Batman’s face remained stoic, but his mind raced with the possibilities.
The opponent’s movements were structured and familiar.
It was extremely similar to his own.
Alfred disengaged suddenly, stepping back with deliberate calm.
“I have heard a lot about you,” he said.
“But I never expected you to be on this level.” A slight tilt of his head followed.
“I can tell… you are a fellow student.
Trained under the ancient Tibetan monks.
Considering your age, I suspect you are a junior of mine.” Batman’s eyes narrowed.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Apologies for my bad manners,” Alfred replied.
“I am Alfred.
A butler.” There was a brief pause in Batman hearing the name and profession of this opponent.
Alfred shifted his stance once more, composed and ready.
“Unfortunately, we stand on opposite sides, fellow disciple.” Batman adjusted his footing, preparing to continue.
Then, Alfred relaxed completely.
His posture returned to neutral, as if the fight had already ended.
“It appears we do not need to fight after all,” he said.
The Joker snapped immediately, “What?
No, you need to fight!
I’m telling you to!” Alfred turned his head toward him.
“The one-week period has concluded,” he said evenly.
“I no longer work for you.” The Joker blinked.
“huh?” A beat passed.
“Okay…” he said.
“I hire you again.
Another week.” “No,” Alfred replied without hesitation.
The Joker frowned.
“You are, I regret to observe, a most deficient employer,” Alfred continued “You could not summon even the minimal courtesy required to cleanse your own countenance.” A brief pause.
“positively repugnant.” There was a long pause as Joker’s face showed confusion then frowned as he stood up “Did you just say I am dirty?” “It is but an observation upon your own conduct; I most earnestly entreat that you reflect upon it, and endeavor henceforth to conduct yourself as a better man.” Alfred looked back at the silent Batman and said “Mr.
Batman, I shall take my leave here, he is all yours and I hope we meet again in a better circumstance ” Batman narrowed his eyes and said “You are not permitted to leave this place until you answer my questions.” [Luckily for you, I would rather pass over the benefit of fighting you over making a contract with that foul useless clown again] The butler thought to himself.
Alfred replied “Mr.
Batman, you are a fellow disciple, have you forgotten the ancient technique Grib Nag?
You have completed your training as well, so you should know better than make such statements” Alfred’s body dissolved into smoke before the eyes of Batman.
Batman was surprised then turned into the angry Joker and said “Joker, who was that?” Joker replied “A very rude and unprofessional butler”