The Laughters: The Untold Origin of Joker and Harley Quinn

Chapter 21: The Black Mask

Jack decided to let his father slide off his fingertips for now, because his father told him where The Black Mask would mostly do his deals and smuggling.

Jack was on a maniacal rage, but kept his feelings at bay. He readied all his equipment and stole the Red Hood outfit from his father. "Tonight, the mask is going to face the hood." He even giggled about as he said it in his mind.

He waited for a night, patiently stalking about in the old cramped alley way. Acting as a homeless bum, which to be honest, is pretty true. His apartment did just blew up.

After hours of waiting, he finally heard a car, driving towards the alley. He hid behind a garbage bin, putting on the red hood and cape in the process. The black, sleek vehicle stopped in the middle of the driveway, two men began to emerge from the car.

One walked towards the opposite side of the car to open the door. The thug pulled it open and there he was, The Black Mask, a man in a white tuxedo, wearing a black leather skull mask. He placed his feet from the warm carpet of his car onto the cold cement of the alley. They were waiting as well, for their client to arrive.

But Jack was impatient at this point, he saw this as a window and can not let it slip, he might not have another chance.

Jack drew his pistols out, cocked them both and softly placed his fingers on the triggers. The Red Hood then rose from the shadows and opened fire on The Black Mask's henchmen.

Left and right the bullets sprayed across the driveway, killing all of Black Mask's thugs almost instantly until he was the only one left. The Mask then hid behind his car and pulled out a pistol of his own.

He stood up and tried to point it at The Red Hood, but was nowhere to be found. He looked around, confused and scared.

He shouted "Where are you, Hood?! I didn't know you were a vigilante now!" He then heard a faint whisper "Here." The Red Hood gave him a kick from behind, causing the Black Mask to drop down on his back instantly.

Jack seemed victorious, his enemy, down on his elbows and back, looking back at him. He holstered one pistol, and pointed the other at The Black Mask. Jack then asked a question "Why did you burn the building? Why?!" The Black Mask was silent, didn't utter a single word.

Jack pointed the gun at his enemy's foot and shot it. "ARGH!" you could hear the loud groan of The Black Mask as he endures the pain. He channels his rage and answers Jack's question "I don't know. Wha-What, you're talking about!" Jack didn't take that answer lightly.

He points the gun at the other foot until the dark masked gangster stops him "Wait! Please don't shoot! I really don't know what you're talking about!" Jack chuckles "Right." He pulls the trigger, The Black Mask closed his eyes and braced for pain. But no bullet was released. Jack's gun jammed, he quickly throws his gun and attempts to draw out the other but The Black Mask rose up and charged at him.

The standoff quickly turned into a fist fight. Jack was pushed towards the wall, receiving punches from his target.

Jack was struggling, he managed to pull of a pipe and hit the Black Mask in the head. The Black Mask fell on his knee, but shrugged the blow off and kicked the Red Hood away from him.

Jack tries to get up, realizing his enemy running towards the driver's seat of the car for a quick get away. He grabbed his pistol and shot the tires, but it was bulletproof, deflecting the bullet instead almost hitting Jack's shoulder.

The Black Mask achieved in starting up his car and driving away from the alley, The Red Hood on the other hand, was injured and therefore can't chase his adversary.