American Comics: The Strongest Villain

Tears welled in Barbara Gordon's eyes, her body trembling slightly.

"Really? Can you really do it?" she asked Su Sheng, her voice filled with a fragile hope. The thought of regaining the ability to walk stirred a deep emotional reaction. The darkness that had consumed her life after the injury, the hopelessness, all began to fade at the mere possibility of recovery. She had hated Harley Quinn, cursed Su Sheng for dragging her into this nightmare, but now... now there was a chance.

Su Sheng nodded calmly, and just like that, the hate she once felt for him began to dissolve. In its place grew gratitude, the kind that only those who've touched the bottom of despair can truly understand.

"I need some time to research. You'll be staying here for now," Su Sheng told her, before glancing at Catwoman. "Let the others know not to worry, and then help Barbara settle in."

Catwoman crossed her arms and scoffed. "Now you think of them? You didn't care when they were worried sick." Su Sheng gave her a sharp look, and she turned away with a huff, muttering to herself. Without another word, she left to prepare a room for Barbara.

A little while later, Catwoman returned, carrying Barbara to her room, while Su Sheng delved into his research, sifting through his vast knowledge of future technology to find a way to help her.

Meanwhile, back in Gotham, Bruce Wayne had a decision to make. After Su Sheng left, he immediately informed Commissioner Gordon about Barbara's condition. But the challenge now was Harley Quinn. Bruce could try to ask Amanda Waller for Harley's release, but that wouldn't work. Waller wasn't the type to let someone go just because Batman asked, especially if she suspected Su Sheng was involved. If she gave in to Su Sheng's demands so easily, it would set a dangerous precedent.

There was no other option—Bruce had to free Harley Quinn himself.

Under the cover of night, Batman went to work, gathering intel on Harley's location and the security surrounding her. His target: Belle Reve Prison. This wasn't Blackgate or Arkham—it was a high-security facility designed for housing special criminals, many of whom had abilities that made them a serious threat.

But for Batman, infiltrating such a place was nothing new. After a few quick moves through the shadows, he had slipped into the prison undetected, heading straight for Cell Block B.

Inside the facility, the special containment cells were eerie in their design—huge, imposing cages made from reinforced materials, capable of electrifying at the touch of a button. Harley Quinn, sitting cross-legged in the middle of one such cage, looked dazed, her signature blonde hair streaked with blue and pink, her expression oddly serene. But when she noticed Batman, her eyes lit up.

"Yo, Batsy!" she called out, her voice dripping with excitement. "Here to break me out?"

Batman remained silent for a moment, his gravelly voice finally cutting through the air. "Su Sheng's back."

Harley sprang to her feet and rushed toward the bars. "He's back?!" Her eyes widened with excitement, and she broke into hysterical laughter. "I knew it! I knew he'd come back! My plan worked! I hit the little Bat, and now Su Sheng's come for me! So, did he send you to spring me?"

Her manic glee reminded Batman all too much of another infamous criminal—the Joker. The way Harley laughed, the way she basked in her perceived success, it was too familiar. Harley Quinn was learning from Su Sheng, not the Joker, but in that moment, Batman couldn't help but see the similarities between her and the Clown Prince of Crime.

"Enough!" Batman growled, his patience wearing thin. "Let's go."

But Harley suddenly stopped, her excitement fading as a sly smile spread across her face. "Nah, I don't think so, Bats. It's too boring if I just go with you like this. Su Sheng hates boring."

Batman's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"I think... I think you must've been forced into this, huh?" Harley said playfully, twirling her pigtails. "Su Sheng probably threatened you, right? Told you to get me out. But if I just leave, he'll get bored with me again in no time."

Before Batman could respond, Harley threw her head back and shouted, "Help! Help! Prison break! Batman's breaking me out!"

"Damn it!" Batman cursed under his breath as alarms blared throughout the facility. With no time to waste, he vanished into the shadows, making his escape just before the doors to the cell opened and armed guards stormed in.

"What the hell?" one guard shouted, looking around frantically. "Where's the prison break?"

Harley, now leaning casually against the bars, grinned innocently. "Who said that?"

The guard glared at her. "Are you messing with us?"

Harley suddenly lunged at the bars, causing the guards to jump back in surprise. Then, with a loud thud, she slammed herself into the cage, collapsing to the ground in exaggerated defeat.

"Lunatic," the guard muttered, embarrassed, as he turned to order the others to stand down.

Back aboard the Disciple, Su Sheng heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Catwoman walking toward him. She was dressed in black silk pajamas, her expression clearly showing her annoyance.

"Why aren't you asleep?" Su Sheng asked casually.

Catwoman crossed her arms. "You have to ask? Every time I lay down, my backside feels like it's on fire thanks to you!"