Chapter 22: How to play the villain? Just tone it down a little.

The next day, Harley contacted the black market to purchase a batch of necessary tools.

"Are you Harley Quinn?" Roland, dressed in a sharp suit and wearing sunglasses, appeared before her.

"Of course. And you must be 'Angel'?" Harley scanned him. He certainly exuded the aura of an outlaw, but she had no memory of him. "Where did the 'Pharmacist' who handled this before go?"

"Her? She was caught by Batman and is currently in Blackgate Penitentiary. Her charges include trafficking illegal goods, illegal possession of firearms, and filing false tax returns. She won't be coming out for decades."

Roland wasn't lying; the "Pharmacist" had indeed been sent to prison after Batman gathered evidence. That same operation had allowed Batman to grasp the inner workings of the black market, enabling him to have Roland pose as a dealer and approach Harley.

"That damn Bat again..." Harley looked displeased.

"Exactly. That spandex-wearing freak is rotten to the core. But I suppose I owe him one; otherwise, the Pharmacist's business wouldn't have fallen into my hands." Roland flashed a wicked smile. "To thank him, I’ve prepared some interesting little props."

"Oh? What are they?" Harley’s interest was piqued.

"Well, you'll find out the day you see the news about me taking down Batman."

"Perhaps I have a more direct method." Harley pulled a giant mallet from nowhere and swung it at Roland. "Aha!"

"Crazy woman..." Roland stepped forward, closing the distance, and struck her with a sudden burst of power, sending her flying. *Iron Mountain Lean!*

"Ouch..." Harley’s chest felt nearly caved in. "You're so rude..."

"My apologies. I'm just a bit high-strung," Roland said, gentlemanly helping her up.

"It's fine. I'm a very forgiving person." Harley rubbed her chest with one hand while pulling out a pistol with the other.

"That's good to hear." Roland smiled and, using the "winding" technique of Baji Quan, disarmed her and dislocated her wrist in one fluid motion.

Harley, no longer daring to act rashly, tried to use her charm to win him over. Roland played along, pretending to be seduced, and brought out the potion he had prepared.

"What is this?" Harley asked curiously.

"This is the surprise gift I've prepared for Batman! Once he drinks this, his personality will completely flip, and he'll start believing he is the Joker."

"What kind of drug could do that?" Harley was stunned. As a former professional psychologist and psychiatrist, her knowledge was not shallow. The effects seemed so absurd that she began to grow suspicious.

"Do you think I'd risk getting beaten to a pulp by Batman just to play a prank on you?" Roland countered.

"That's true... Are you really planning to use this on him?" Harley double-checked.

"Of course." Roland let out a cackling laugh. "I've already prepared a body double for Gordon. I'll use him as bait, and Batman will definitely take it. Then, I'll seize the opportunity to capture him and force-feed him this potion."

"What a genius idea!"

"Exactly. After that, we can lure the police and Batman's friends here, film the 'Joker-Bat' killing them, and make a hundred million copies for the world to enjoy!" Roland continued his plan, laughing neurotically. "I can't wait to see the look on Batman's face when the effects wear off and he has to watch the video!"

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Harley blinked. "Can I join in on your plan?"

"Of course you can, as long as you..." Roland was interrupted by a sharp, piercing screech from the hidden earpiece behind his ear, sounding like a test of impure hydrogen.

"As long as you can help me out, that's all that matters," Roland corrected himself. "You just need to do this..."

"Got it." Harley nodded, and after chatting a while longer, they parted ways.

"Could you dial it back a bit during your performance?" Batman's voice came through the earpiece.

"I'm just making it more believable," Roland retorted.

"To me, it looks like you're just being yourself."

"Never mind that. Is Commissioner Gordon ready?"

"He is."

The next day, the Joker hadn't seen Harley all night, but he didn't pay much mind, remaining fully focused on setting his traps for Batman. That was until an anonymous call interrupted his thoughts.

"Oh, I hope you're not a salesman, or I'll make sure your company learns exactly when it is a bad time to interrupt..." Before the Joker could finish, he heard the voice on the other end, and his expression grew increasingly hideous.

*CRACK!* The Joker slammed the landline onto the floor, his teeth gritted, a roar of fury erupting from his throat.

"Harley Quinn!"

At a port in Gotham City.

"Achoo!" Harley couldn't help but sneeze. "Why do I feel so strange? Could Puddin' be missing me?"

"Hey, Harley, you should make sure he can't find you. That's the only way he'll realize he can't live without you," Roland whispered. "More importantly, is everything you were supposed to prepare ready?"

"Of course!" Harley had already set the traps. "But how do you know which direction Batman is coming from?"

"I don't," Roland said. "I'm just guessing. Even if he doesn't come from that side, we can still use Commissioner Gordon to catch him."

"Then why did I waste so much time..." Harley frowned. "Where's the double?"

"Right here." Roland clapped his hands, and Commissioner Gordon stepped out from behind him.

"Hisss..." Harley leaned in close, inspecting him. She couldn't help but gasp. "He looks exactly like the real one! How did you manage that?"

"If he didn't look real, how would he attract Batman?" Roland laughed. "As for why he looks so much like him, my subordinate was born this way. It's just a coincidence."

"Is he Gordon's long-lost twin or something?" Harley speculated.

As they were talking, a Batarang suddenly whistled through the air, only for Roland to catch it with his hand.

"Looks like our guest has arrived..." Roland flashed an evil grin and hurled the Batarang back into the shadows.

"Release Commissioner Gordon!" Batman's cape swished as he deflected the thrown Batarang. He lunged forward, blocking Roland's charge with a kick, and delivered a hand-blade strike directly toward Roland’s collarbone.

"Want to save Gordon? Let's see if you've got the skills!" Roland roared, his shoulder deflecting the blow as his arm whipped out like a heavy staff. *Erlang Carries the Mountain!*

As they fought intensely, Harley crept behind Batman, holding a tranquilizer needle, and suddenly lunged, striking Batman in the back of the neck.