American Comics: The Strongest Villain

Barbara Gordon sat in contemplation; her brow furrowed as she pondered the questions Su Sheng had posed. Her serious expression and the intensity with which she sought answers amused him greatly. Unable to contain his laughter, Su Sheng pulled Harley Quinn into a tight embrace and planted a playful, albeit heavy kiss on her fair, petite face. Harley, slightly dazed and disoriented by the affectionate gesture, snuggled closer to Su Sheng, her eyes half-closed. Barbara, meanwhile, was left bewildered by the exchange.

"What are you laughing at? What's the answer?" Barbara demanded; her frustration evident.

"You can always ask the Riddler if you get the chance," Su Sheng responded with a grin, "but he might not be able to guess correctly if he's gay. Or you might discover the answer when you have a boyfriend."

Barbara was puzzled by Su Sheng's cryptic response. He seemed to be in high spirits, clearly enjoying himself. He continued, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "But let's move on. Here's a question: Out of 365 days in a year, which day do men fear the most?"

Barbara stared at him, feeling the weight of the challenge. She considered the question carefully. Valentine's Day seemed unlikely since, while it required gifts, it wasn't something men would necessarily fear. Pay Day? That didn't seem right either; it varied depending on one's job and responsibilities.

After a considerable pause and several internal debates, Barbara sighed, admitting defeat. Despite her intelligence, she was struggling to find the right answer.

"The last question," Su Sheng continued with a teasing tone, "is similar: Out of 365 days in a year, which day do women fear the most?"

The change from men to women didn't make the question any easier for Barbara. However, she was more familiar with women's concerns. Instinctively, she thought of the day relatives visited or, more personally, the day of menstruation. The latter was a private matter, but it seemed fitting. She hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed by the candid nature of her answer.

Finally, she blurted out, "The day of my period."

"Wrong!" Su Sheng exclaimed, shaking his head with mock disappointment. "If you were a driver, you'd probably drive straight into a kindergarten."

Barbara's frustration mounted. "Ask me another question. I'm sure I can get it right this time."

"Good looks are common, but an interesting soul is rare. Your soul, however, isn't particularly engaging. Nevertheless, you've kept me entertained, so I'll give you another chance," Su Sheng said, turning to Harley Quinn. "I remember you had a camera last time."

Harley Quinn promptly retrieved the camera and returned, positioning herself to take a photo. She gestured for Barbara to stand by and be ready. Barbara, feeling uneasy but willing to comply, moved into position.

Snapped!

Without warning, Su Sheng lifted his foot and kicked Barbara's leg, causing her to stumble and fall to her knees. As she attempted to rise and protest, Su Sheng swiftly removed her mask, revealing her delicate and striking features.

"Can you speak Chinese?" Su Sheng asked, his eyes narrowing with a playful glint.

Barbara tried to get up, but Su Sheng's threat halted her in her tracks. "If you try to rise, I'll hand you over to Bane."

Her movements froze. Her eyes blazed with anger and defiance, but she remained kneeling.

"Can you speak Chinese?" Su Sheng repeated, undeterred by her fierce gaze.

"Yes, a little," Barbara admitted reluctantly.

"Perfect," Su Sheng said with a smirk. "Here's the deal: I'll sing a line, and you'll repeat it. If you learn it correctly, I'll take care of Bane for you."

He cleared his throat theatrically and began to sing, "Finally, you found a way to decide the winner…"

Barbara frowned, realizing Su Sheng was using the song as a manipulation tool. The lyrics seemed to reflect a theme of submission, and she suspected he had a specific agenda.

Su Sheng continued with the song, his voice smooth and melodic:

"I was conquered by you like this… I cut off all escape routes…"

"My mood is solid… my decision is muddled…"

"I was conquered by you like this… Drinking the poison you have hidden…"

As Su Sheng sang each line, Barbara was forced to repeat after him. Despite her reluctance, she followed along, trying to master the lyrics. The song seemed designed to symbolize submission and defeat, which only added to her humiliation.

"Sing," Su Sheng ordered, his expression a mix of amusement and satisfaction.

Barbara, though visibly embarrassed, sang the lines as instructed. Each repetition brought her closer to mastering the song. Eventually, she was able to sing the entire piece independently.

"It sounds good," Su Sheng commented, clearly pleased with the result. "After all, this is the debut performance of the police chief's daughter, Batman's student, and Batgirl Barbara Gordon!"

He turned to Harley Quinn, who adjusted Barbara's costume and ensured she was in position. Su Sheng's amusement was evident as he took in the scene.

Despite the somewhat outdated nature of the act, Su Sheng found it entertaining. Under his gaze, which mixed affection with mockery, Barbara kneeled and sang the complete song with a blend of shame and defiance. Her voice, though a cappella, was clear and melodious, capturing the essence of the lyrics.

After Barbara finished, she quickly replaced her mask, her face a mask of indignation. "You better keep your word about Bane. Otherwise, I'll make sure you regret it."

Su Sheng, unfazed, took the camera from Harley Quinn, his expression one of mild regret. "It's a shame there's no soundtrack," he said, before turning off the camera. "So, when are you planning to start?"

"I'll let you know when I'm ready," Barbara replied curtly, turning on her heel.

As she left, her frustration was palpable. She had intended to use a smoke bomb and her grappling hook to escape, but Su Sheng's earlier taunt lingered in her mind. With a swift motion, she activated her grappling hook, launching herself into the air and disappearing into the night, determined to make her next move count.