After the goon told me everything I needed to know, I placed my hand on his head and activated rewind, turning him into a sperm cell flying off the building. I then headed toward a location that had been marked—an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Gotham City.
"This should be pretty straightforward," I said, cracking my knuckles. Quietly, I moved toward the warehouse, placing my hand on its surface.
"New order: this warehouse will be soundproof and untraceable for the next 24 hours," I declared, and the rule took effect. No one would be able to find this place during that time.
Landing outside the building, I cracked my knuckles again and imposed another rule on myself.
"Joker gas won't affect me," I said as I kicked down the door. I walked inside, swiftly filing—before their bullets could even reach me—I sent out a wave of rewind, aging the bullets back to their origin before they could register what just happened. I was behind the first guard, punching him in the gut, sending him into a wall and cracking a few bones. Without hesitation, I blitzed forward, touching another guard and causing him to explode into a pile of blood. Many of the shooters tried to fire at me, but I blocked their bullets with black whip, then grabbed and hurled them into the ceiling, connecting with energy. I punched the ground, causing a small earthquake and sending boulders crashing down, taking out the remaining guards.
"That was too easy," I muttered, when suddenly a bullet tore through my right shoulder, making me wince in pain. Turning around, I saw the Joker.
He wasn't dressed in his classic outfit—no suit, tie, or face paint. Instead, he was with Harley Quinn, who wore her red and black domino outfit, with her face exposed.
"You're quite the interesting kid; you're not one of the bats, so you've piqued my interest. Too bad you're going to die with a smile," said the Joker, his laughter echoing as he started chuckling.
"Nice one, Mr. J. You showed him," Harley added.
"Of course, Harley. What did you think? Now, what happened?" he continued, laughing.
A voice cut through the chaos: "Are you done?" They turned to see the one standing in the laughing gas—his wounds healed.
"Well, isn't that a shocker," he said as he tossed a grenade my way. I easily sidestepped it, just as Harley Quinn charged at me with her hammer.
"Die, die, die," she repeated, swinging her hammer relentlessly. I dodged gracefully, charging up 2% of One For All. With a flying kick, I sent her crashing into a wall and she slipped to the ground.
"Now, where's the Joker?" I asked, just as a horn sounded behind me. I turned to see Joker driving his jeep straight at me. I stopped it effortlessly with a single finger, tossing it into the air with him still inside, causing it to land upside down.
He climbed out, pulling a gun and aiming it at me. I stepped forward and knocked it out of his hand.
"It's time for you to die," I said.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Harley's got a surprise for you," Joker muttered, still conscious. Harley shook her head.
"Of course I do, Mr. J. You said it would be a big surprise. I'm so happy you gave it to me," she said.
"Yeah, well, here's the surprise—it's a bomb," Joker revealed, pressing a trigger pedal; the bomb revved up to full. I turned on Gearshift in top gear, I rushed toward Harley Quinn. Her eyes widened in shock and betrayal as I moved at supersonic speed. I swiftly removed the bracelet on her wrist, then jumped onto the ceiling, punching it as I ascended. The explosion erupted outside the building.
"I knew he'd do that,heroes are all the same," Joker mumbled, clutching his broken ribs.
Harley, still dazed, whispered, "He saved me."
"Of course he did. They can't help themselves," Joker chuckled.
"How did you know he'd save me instead of just throwing me out?" she asked, desperately clinging to hope that hope that she knew he would save her
"Honestly, I didn't. After what he did to my henchman, I thought he was going to kill you and toss you aside. But here we are," Joker replied, laughing.
Hearing his word Harley finally realized something: Joker didn't care about s her. He'd let her die if it meant his own survival, and that realization cut through her laughter.
"What's so funny, Joker?" I asked as I punched him in the back, using 15% power, sending him skidding across the room.
"This has been a long time coming. Time to end you," I said, about to activate Overhaul, when Harley Quinn shouted, "Wait, don't kill him!" She had fallen and moved between us, arms outstretched.
"Oh, Harley, still as naïve as ever—always rushing back to me," Joker said weakly.
"You want to stop me from killing him?" I asked, hesitant because I didn't want to hurt Harley, who had been manipulated by Joker. Still, she blocked my way. I wouldn't hesitate to take her down.
"No, I don't want you to kill the Joker," she said, lowering her arms. Grabbing her mallet, she brought it down on his head, crushing it—killing him instantly.
I was stunned. I hadn't expected her to kill him, but it was a surprising, almost satisfying turn. I wondered why she did it.
She turned to me, her smile almost pleading as Joker's blood smeared her face.
"Did I do good?" she asked. It took me a moment to process the situation.
When I saved her, her obsession with Joker had lost all meaning—he had just tried to kill her. I'd risked my life to save her, even though I didn't have to.
By that logic, she transferred her infatuation from Joker to me, seeking praise for what she had done.
"Yes, you did very well," I replied.
She smiled happily, clinging to me.
"Thank you, thank you," she repeated, believing I accepted her.
"Okay, can you get off me now?" I asked, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Is Mr. embarrassed? You don't have to be. My body's all yours now. I'm willing to help with whatever you need. By the way, what's your name?" she asked, stepping back.
"Just call me Ivan. Everyone else can call me All in One," I smirked thoughtfully, recalling the phrase—All for One and One for All.
"Okay, Mr. Ivan. What's our next move? Batman will be here any minute, especially after that explosion," she said.
"First, do you have access to Joker's safe houses or hideouts? Places he might have in the city, especially if one's been busted by Batman or the cops?" I asked.
"Of course, I know all his safe spots by heart," she replied.
"Good. Show me where one is," I said, lifting her in a quick bridal style, making us invisible.
Gotham City briefly dazzled her before I told her to focus. She pointed to an equipment building below. I set her down as she opened the door. Inside, there were numerous vehicles—motorcycles, armored vans—and other gear. I continued walking, gathering weapons, Joker gas, and various supplies.