But Batman was worse. His ray of light, the only thing that kept him from going over the edge, was gone. Just like that. And all because of the psychotic clown.
Alfred passed from a heart attack a few months after. Watching the man he saw as a son go dark and cruel added to the fire after he was told that Dick didn't make it. It put too much strain on his old heart.
Bruce Wayne didn't attend the galas and rarely ever went out in public anymore. He spent all his time in the Batcave, living off of MREs and nonstop training. On his off time, he was on the Batcomputer, waiting for the Joker to make one fatal mistake. And Batman would be there, waiting to get his revenge.
Those of Batman's Rogue Gallery heard and saw those who were foolish enough to try to mess with an enraged Bat. They wisely stayed in Arkham, behaving like good little psychos. That left the Bat with the foolish punks that were battered a little too much for the police’s tastes. One 10 year old child was put into critical care for two years for trying to steal the Batmobile’s tires. Everyone something was wrong with their savior and waited in fearful suspense.

No hero was allowed in Gotham anymore. The first and last person to try was Superman, who was shot with a life threatening kryptonite bullet. The league wisely avoided the city as though it was a plague. What rattled them all the most though was the fact that no kill, no guns Batman, was using the very weapons he hated.

Joker eventually did return to Gotham, along with Bane. The Dark Knight was onto them the moment they were 2 klicks out from the border. Bane fell first. He soon found out how much killing Robin affected the dark hero. Didn't make it two steps out the front door of the Gotham Bank with a huge safe before Batsy saved himself the trouble and shot him in the head.

Joker fell when staging a theatrical explosion at the children's hospital.

“Why so glum, Batsy? You need to put a smile on that frowny face of yours!” He cackled as he pulled a small boy from one of the rooms. The young boy was no older than 12 and looked exactly like Dick. Complete with the black hair and blue eyes.

“I've had enough of your games, Joker!” Batman growled as he stared at the whimpering boy in the hated clown’s grasp. Not another child. Not another Dick. He silently vowed.

“But Batsy… I just got back! Besides, doesn't this kiddo remind you of someone? It's almost a look alike of your bird boy. Almost,” Joker said darkly as he drew a knife from the sleeves of his coat. He ran the flat part of the blade along the boy’s cheek.

“I wonder if he can sing just as well as our ex boy blunder?” Joker let loose another crazed laugh as he stabbed the blade into the boy's thigh and twisted it. He screamed in pain as the blade went deeper into his leg. That's when Batman lost it.

Batman charged at the insane clown, all caution thrown out the window. He grabbed the still laughing Joker's knife arm and yanked it out of the boy's leg, tossing the bleeding boy to the side. Joker switched his knife to his other hand and swiped at the enraged hero. Batman took the blade without thought and proceed to break Joker's captive wrist.

Joker grunted as he felt his bones crack. He brought up his crimson knife once more, only to have his other arm broken. Batman wrapped his hands around Joker's throat, squeezing the air from the vile piece of trash.

“You're... really gonna... do it, huh,Batsy? If I had known… that killing your little Birdy... was all it took,... I would done it years ago!” Joker gasped out as the precious air expelled from his lungs, “I…. Win….”

“Your right,” Batman calmly stated, pulling a gun from his added on holsters, “You do win, and honestly, I don't give a dam,” he turned to look at the still bleeding kid, “You might want to close your eyes.” The boy quickly obeyed.

BANG!