Chapter 10: Harley Quinn's Speech

"Dinah, my sweetheart, you've been gone so long. I was worried something happened to you."

"What's there to worry about, Harley? Don't you know my strength by now? In Gotham, anyone who can challenge me to an arm wrestle can be counted on one hand."

Dinah and Harley Quinn embraced intimately, while Jekyll, forcefully brought along by Dinah and a man named Walker, tried to keep his cap low and discreetly edged toward the exit.

This seemed disastrous, returning to Harley Quinn's side after a roundabout escape from the basement.

Seemingly, this was a building above the underground basement Jekyll had just escaped from—a spacious, dilapidated warehouse interior. Under the bright light bulbs overhead, the place was as bright as day. Dozens of folks dressed in weird and eerie clown costumes were scattered in front of Harley Quinn.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's not waste any time."

Harley cleared her throat, then stood on a large metal barrel, picking up a megaphone to let her voice resonate throughout the entire warehouse.

"Firstly, after such a long time since the last Joker's Gang gathering, I didn't expect so many buddies to respond to my call. You're all splendid comrades who once fought under my beloved 'Mr. J,' you guys are amazing~"

The guys in clown costumes started making noise, a mix of strange cheers or calls, some shouting "Long live the crime prince of Gotham!" or "Harley Quinn, I love you!" among other things.

Seeing this scene, Harley gestured satisfactorily, quieting down the noisy crowd gradually.

"I can feel everyone's enthusiasm. Tonight, I gathered you all here because some unpleasant things have been happening in our territory lately—"

"This old factory area has been a happy place for us under our management—but recently, some troublemakers, no, I should say old bastards, have started occupying it. They've taken over our turf and even started producing using the great invention once owned by Mr. J, tarnishing our reputation."

"Mr. J has only temporarily left us. If he were to return and see our territory in such a mess, how would he feel? He'd surely be sad and disappointed. Can we allow that?"

"So now, we must act. Let's all go together and rid ourselves of these audacious individuals, clean up our turf!"

"Tonight, we'll raid Black Mask's lair and round up this old rascal and his lackeys!"

Black Mask?

Jekyll furrowed his brow; this name was a well-known antagonist in the original comics. Although lacking in special superpowers, Black Mask wielded immense wealth and an underground network, engaging in nefarious activities, with significant physical prowess.

If Jekyll recalled correctly, from Harley's clippings, he'd read news about Batman defeating the Black Mask's operation and sending him to Blackgate Penitentiary—apparently, he had once again escaped prison using his wealth.

Could it be that the person Harley mentioned wanting to kill was Black Mask? However, from Harley's mobilization speech earlier, it seemed more like a matter of simple interests and grudges.

Regardless, Jekyll wanted no part in these unlawful struggles for territory. From his previous life to this one, he considered himself a law-abiding citizen.

Woof! Woof!

As Jekyll approached the door, a sharp bark mixed with cackling laughter-like sound resounded behind him.

"Good, good, Bud—He's not an enemy, be good."

In the shadow near the door, Walker, the young man Jekyll had encountered earlier, struggled to control the Hyena, preventing it from lunging at Jekyll. Upon noticing Jekyll, Walker's eyes lit up.

"It's you! You couldn't stand those crazy Joker fans either, so you came here for some peace and quiet, right? Can't blame you. Those guys are indeed a bit insane. I can also understand why Harley stopped calling this bunch after the Joker died."

She stopped calling them after the Joker died? But just now, Harley Quinn mentioned this area as their territory. Maybe Walker saw the confusion on Jekyll's face, as he brushed the dog's fur, calming it a bit, then leaned closer to Jekyll and spoke in a hushed tone:

"That's just Harley's claim. In reality, the so-called Joker's Gang ceased to exist after the Joker died. At best, the boss would lead a bunch of spirited folks and girls to vandalize walls. Gordon turns a blind eye since it's relatively harmless."

Jekyll realized that this Walker guy was quite chatty and was happily launching into a lengthy monologue.

"Actually, not just the Joker's Gang, but almost all the underground factions in Gotham have been cleared out by Batman and Gordon over the last three years. It's only the newly released Black Mask causing trouble recently. But since he's crossed paths with Boss and Dinah, his days are likely numbered."

Jekyll absentmindedly responded, his mind focused on finding a way out. However, darting out in front of Walker wouldn't work, and using deceive might not hide him from the keen senses of the hyenas.

Time was running short; Harley Quinn's mobilization was nearing its end. But Jekyll noticed something odd: as time passed, more and more former Joker's Gang members were glancing intentionally or unintentionally towards the door.

"These guys are probably like you, having second thoughts about facing Black Mask head-on. It's understandable. Even without them, the plan could work, but to avoid leaks, we can't let them leave casually. That's why Bud and I are watching the door."

Jekyll felt a sinking feeling. As someone trying to escape quietly, he knew those former gang members weren't looking to leave—they seemed more like they were waiting for something.

With a sense of foreboding, Jekyll inadvertently glanced through the crack in the door and faintly saw something bright rapidly approaching in the dark of night.

"Shit!"

The roar of an engine echoed, and instinctively, Jekyll pulled Walker, moving away from the door.

Boom!

The iron gate was instantly deformed as a large truck burst into the warehouse. Jekyll, thrown to the ground by the impact, found the truck eerily familiar.

Screech—

The jarring sound of brakes filled the air as the truck stopped just in time to avoid hitting anyone. Moments later, a tall, muscular man in a sharp black-and-white pinstripe suit stepped out of the truck's driver's seat—what drew more attention was the black skull-shaped mask on his face.

"Heard you wanted to cause trouble, Harley Quinn? Good timing. I've been wanting to settle the score with you for a while now."

°°°

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