"What do you want to do with Batman here?"
Harley asked the Joker with clear confusion in her voice.
The Joker did not answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if her question was something trivial, and began speaking in a strangely academic tone.
"You know, Harley, I have done research on human eyes. Not the crude kind where you remove them from Deadman bodies, but proper observation. There are six major types of eye movement that reveal inner thought patterns, and each of those types can be broken into about fifteen variations."
He smiled faintly, as if explaining a lecture.
"I've seen it in others, even the toughest ones. Their pupils react. They expand or shrink depending on emotion."
"Happiness, joy, affection, the pupils dilate. Anger, fear, hatred, they contract."
"But Batman is different."
The Joker stepped closer to the unconscious figure.
"Batman's eyes never change. No matter what happens, it is always the same expression. A small black point staring back at the world. Like something deeper than human bitterness is locked inside."
He bent down, studying Batman's mask as if he could see through it.
"It feels like he is looking at everything through darkness. No light can reach him."
His voice grew sharper, more unstable.
"It is like a bullet fired at the world. As if he is not even human. That is why I want to see what is behind those eyes. That curiosity is what drives me to him."
Harley rolled her eyes slightly, unimpressed.
"You should probably tell him that when he is awake instead of talking to him like he is a science project."
The Joker did not react to her sarcasm. He straightened slowly.
"If you want to enjoy a proper meal, you must tolerate the preparation."
He glanced at Batman again.
"I keep wondering what is hiding inside those eyes. It bothers me in the best way."
Then he spread his arms slightly.
"So I've decided something."
Harley frowned. "Decided what?"
The Joker smiled.
"To bring Batman back to life."
Harley blinked. "You mean wake him up?"
"Resurrect him," the Joker corrected softly.
He leaned suddenly toward her, his blood stained face inches away.
"Surprised?"
Harley did not move back, but her tone carried doubt.
"You can actually do that?"
"Oh sweetheart," the Joker replied, patting her shoulder as if comforting a child, "never doubt me."
"Very soon, you will see a very alive Batman. And when he wakes, he will thank me. He might even be so grateful that he kisses my hand."
He tilted his head proudly.
"Just like I kiss you."
Harley stared at him, her expression a mix of irritation and exhaustion. Madness felt normal around him, but he always managed to push it further.
"So Mr J, the whole reason you brought me here is just to watch you bring Batman back?"
She did not sound interested in Batman's fate at all.
The Joker shook his head.
"Of course not."
His grin widened.
"I did not prepare all of this just for a simple performance. This is a celebration, and I cannot allow anyone to ruin it."
He clasped his hands together, almost excited like a child.
"For this rebirth ceremony, there has been blood, planning, effort. Mostly other people's blood, of course, but that is not important."
He laughed suddenly, sharp and loud.
"This will be spectacular. I am looking forward to it immensely."
Then he pointed at Harley.
"And your role is simple. You make sure no one interrupts me."
Harley raised a brow. "So I am your security?"
"Exactly."
The Joker's tone turned lighter again.
"Some very rude people always like to spoil good events. If they interrupt Batman's rebirth, I will be very disappointed."
Harley sighed, then gestured to herself.
"You really think I can stop them? I am not Superman or Homelander. If those enhanced soldiers you mentioned show up, I am not walking out of that alive."
The Joker reached into his coat and pulled out a submachine gun as if it were a casual object.
"That is why I prepared gifts."
Harley stared at the weapon in silence.
"You greedy little Wildcat," the Joker teased.
Then he pulled out several grenades and dropped them into her hands.
"Big ones. Try not to explode yourself. I would hate to miss the cleanup."
He waved her off.
"Go on then. Guard the entrance. Do not let anyone interrupt my beautiful ceremony."
Harley shrugged lightly.
"Fine, if that is what you want."
She turned to leave, then paused.
"One thing, Mr J."
The Joker tilted his head. "Hmm?"
"How exactly are you planning to bring Batman back?"
The Joker smiled as if he had been waiting for that question.
"Always curious, aren't you?"
He lifted the bag containing Batman onto his shoulder.
"Our king is a bit heavy. Strange, I expected him to be lighter after lying around doing nothing."
He struggled slightly under Batman's weight.
"Harley, help me."
Without hesitation, she stepped in and supported the body with him.
"Perfect," the Joker said. "Step one is complete. Now for step two."
They moved carefully along a metal walkway above the factory floor.
Below them was a massive chemical pool, thick and pale, releasing a strong, toxic odor.
Harley's expression tightened when she saw it.
She recognized it immediately.
This was the same place that had changed the Joker.
The place that had created him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
So this is what he plans to do.
But this will not wake Batman up. It will only destroy him.
The Joker, oblivious to her thoughts, continued forward, slightly unsteady under the weight.
When they reached the center above the vat, he leaned over the railing.
Then, without hesitation, he lifted Batman and dropped him.
Batman's body hit the chemical surface with a heavy splash.
White liquid surged upward.
Harley stepped back slightly as droplets flew toward them.
The Joker clapped his hands once, satisfied.
"Done."
He exhaled.
"I really need better help for this kind of thing. Carrying bodies is exhausting."
He looked down into the vat.
Batman was sinking slowly beneath the chemical surface.
The Joker nodded in approval.
"Good. That went exactly as planned."
Harley stood frozen for a moment.
She could not tell if he was serious.
This is not resurrection.
This is execution.
Even if Batman survived the fall, the chemicals alone could finish him.
The Joker walked back toward her, placing a hand on her shoulder again.
"Why are you still standing there?"
His voice dropped slightly.
"Did you forget your job?"
Harley blinked back into focus.
"No. I just… I do not understand this part, Mr J. Are you sure this is supposed to bring him back?"
The Joker smiled softly, almost affectionately.
"Of course."
He looked back at the bubbling vat.