"I guess things must have started to get chaotic over there," Greed said while packing up his things.
"Which side do you think isn't in chaos?" Manipulation asked with a smirk, sitting where he was. "I'm afraid that apart from Spider-Man's side, the vast majority are a complete mess."
"Which one are you most curious about?" Greed asked with a smile, looking at him, but the question was rhetorical, as the answer was well-known.
"I'm actually most curious about Batman," Greed answered his own question. "I bet that Arrogant student of ours definitely went there too. He's the number one troublemaker in the DC Universe."
"Where do you think the Laughing Bat will be?" Manipulation didn't pick up on the comment but simply asked another question.
"Anyway, he definitely won't be with Batman and the Joker. He doesn't see himself as Batman or the Joker, but as something above both, so maybe he will have his own team," he said.
After thinking it over, Greed said, "But his plans in the dark universe didn't succeed, and he probably has only King Robin available to use. His prospects are worrying."
"What about Iron Man? Aren't you worried about him?"
"He and Batman are completely different people," Greed laughed again. "Although many people say they are similar and reflect each other, that's just on the surface, their personalities are totally different."
"How so? Tony isn't someone who forces himself. If he was, he wouldn't always be anxious," Greed said, lowering his eyelids. "A person capable of feeling pain will suffer, not that Batman is completely immune to it, but his tolerance for pain is too high, making him overlook minor pains."
"But Tony isn't like that. He's naturally emotionally sensitive, able to amplify every awkward, embarrassing, and anxious moment in his life to the max, while never learning to force himself to accept or ignore these emotions, which is why he always seems so dramatic."
"It's heartless to blame someone who cries out in pain because they are afraid of hurting. I'm not like that. So if Tony isn't coping, then he isn't coping. If he's anxious, then he takes some medicine. If he really can't handle it, he will come find me," he said.
Manipulation watched him with a smile. "We really scared him that time. You know, he later recovered that memory," he said.
Greed paused in his task and said, "That was his own doing. If he hadn't insisted on recovering the memory of me becoming his brother, he wouldn't have seen the abuse... Anyway, I'll ask him next time."
Arrogant, while looking at the supply list, said, "How many people do you think share your view and are all eyeing this universe?"
"Probably not a few," Greed replied. "We are not the only smart people in the world. Surely many have thought of freeloading on building materials in the duplicates. The summary is written too blatantly."
"So we might run into some interesting old foes?" Manipulation seemed very interested, and Greed could only look at him and ask, "Do you want to go?"
"No thanks," Manipulation shook his head.
"I think we will definitely run into Batman," Arrogant sighed slightly. "Getting building materials is important, they will probably think of it soon. The Robins might as well, Tim is smart, he will soon realize it's not cost-effective to buy props."
"I actually hope Dick goes," Arrogant paused before adding, "He's well-suited for this kind of duplicate, but I think his luck isn't that good."
"It's only a matter of time," Greed said nonchalantly.
The Robins were indeed discussing which duplicate to go to, each focusing on different aspects. Dick and his group, having found the most unfortunate Batman's duplicate, were of course clamoring to go there.
Some of them had bought some building materials and decided to first build a few small houses to squeeze into, while the others entered duplicates in an orderly manner to earn points.
Jason deliberately skipped all Batman duplicates and began looking for stories from another world, currently targeting several universes inclined towards violence, seemingly intending to go have a killing spree.
As Shiller had predicted, Tim and his group began studying loopholes in the rules, convinced that precious points should not be spent on props. It was better to take advantage of the duplicates. They and Shiller were eyeing the same duplicate and were currently working on a strategy.
In a dark corner, a man dressed in a truck driver's uniform sat dozing off, seemingly uninterested in all the arguments and laughter in the room, and no one paid him any attention.
This place had now become Lunatic Paradise.
The Jokers could broadly be divided into two factions. One was led by the Main Universe's Joker, the faction of order. That's right, the most chaotic New 52 Main Universe's Joker had now become an advocate for order.
The so-called concern creates weaknesses. The Main Universe's Joker was now single-minded in dealing with that combined monster of Batman and Joker. Having a specific goal, he naturally could be considered as the orderly faction.
Most of the other Jokers just wanted to watch the world burn. If it weren't for the chance to see Batman, they wouldn't bother talking with others here.
Lunatics are inherently unable to work together. The Main Universe's Joker naturally didn't expect to have everyone at his command. He already had some allies, but the power wasn't enough yet.
His first ally was Heath Ugly. The Main Universe's Joker had been watching him for a long time, believing this Joker was special. His chaos and madness were in no way inferior to those Jokers with special abilities.
Another was Phoenix Joker, who was something of an incidental addition. The Main Universe's Joker didn't think this talk show comedian would be of much use, but every team needs cannon fodder.
There were other Jokers too, but most were rather ordinary. The Main Universe Joker was chatting with his other selves mainly to find one person—the Joker corresponding to Bruce.
The Main Universe Joker was also well aware that the stronger Batman is, the stronger the Joker would be. This mysterious and young Batman possessed unimaginable strength, so the Joker corresponding to him must also be terrifyingly powerful, and would make a good helper for his plans.
But the only problem was that the universe seemed at peace; there were no reports of any Joker causing chaos, so the Main Universe Joker couldn't be certain who the Joker corresponding to Bruce might be.
Now, through conversation with this group of mad Jokers, he was systematically eliminating targets. Truth be told, while the universe's Batmen were diverse and bizarre, Jokers didn't have as many variations—at least not as many as Batman.
Among those who were somewhat well-known and had caught the Main Universe Joker's eye were the following few.
First was Ghost Joker, who could be considered the strongest among the Jokers. Ghost itself was a messenger of God, sent to judge the Joker. However, it failed to do so and was ultimately invaded by the Joker, becoming a laughing spirit.
Then there was Dead Clown who, during an attack on Jason Todd, was passed by Dead Man, who had intended to possess the Joker to save Jason but failed, and was instead possessed by the Joker.
The First Generation Chemist Joker was originally just a poison-using murderer, but because the era's Batman comics leaned towards comedy, he too was somewhat of a comedic character, his strength not to be underestimated.
Of course, there was a stronger Five-dimensional Emperor Joker, but all such characters of immensely excessive power became administrators, corresponding to the likes of Manhattan Batman and Golden Superman.
There was also a particularly special Joker from the War of Jokes and Riddles. He was special because the Batman of that universe's principle of not killing also originated from him. It was this Joker who stopped Batman from wanting to kill the Riddler.
However, the Main Universe Joker felt that these Jokers were not the one corresponding to that peculiar Batman because they lacked a certain feeling. As for what that feeling was, even the Main Universe Joker couldn't explain; it was probably something that only the Primary Universe Batman could understand.
The Jokers had one thing in common: they tended to be relatively active, a contrast perhaps to Batman's solemn and serious image. Most couldn't stay still, always hopping around, one moment climbing high, the next diving into a river.
That Joker napping in the shade of a tree became somewhat out of place at this time. The Main Universe's Joker noticed him but, being a Joker himself, he certainly wouldn't go over to kindly remind anyone.
The Main Universe's Joker cleared his throat and said, "We're now a team, and we're willing to do everything to defeat and kill Batman. At least in that regard, our interests are aligned. But if someone isn't even willing to do that..."
Almost all the Jokers stopped to look at him; they couldn't accept someone who was uninterested in joining forces to kill all the Batmen.
There weren't many still people left, and now the napping Joker came into everyone's view.
He seemed to sense something, opened his eyes, and yawned in confusion, "Sorry, I pulled an all-nighter at work yesterday and I'm a bit tired now. Where were we again?"
"Of course, it's about killing Batman," said the Main Universe Joker. "What's your view on this? What kinds of games have you played with your universe's Batman?"
"Oh, there were so many." The Joker smiled. "He framed me once, claiming I stole someone's Royal Flush. But that's not something I would do; only that little scoundrel could be so shameless."
The Main Universe Joker's ears perked up; he instinctively felt that there was something off about this Joker, so he said, "So you're a greenhorn just starting out, actually choosing to play cards with Batman. Friends, would you make such a foolish choice?"
The other Jokers burst into insane laughter. Of course, they would never play such games, regardless of how many lives were at stake, because they knew Batman would always adhere to the rules of poker. He wouldn't cheat, and that would be utterly dull.
Wait, what did this guy say just now, that Batman framed him?
There are good and bad Batmen, and this Joker said in a very mild manner, "The Batman you know is a madman trying to maintain order, but there are some who, when faced with a dark tide, don't stand up to it but instead take a leap into it."
"I agree with that point."
Another figure emerged from behind the trees. He was dressed in a tidy suit, even sporting a gleaming badge on his chest, exuding elegance in every move, yet his tone carried an unignorable authority of someone high above.
He extended his hand towards the Joker and said, "Jack Napier, nice to meet you."
"What a coincidence, I'm also named Jack," said the Joker with a grin. "Just an ordinary truck driver, nowhere near as great as you."
"Do you think I'm great?"
"You saved Gotham, did a better job than Batman did."
In an instant, all the Jokers' eyes widened.