Episode 9: The Laughing Storm

Episode 9: The Laughing Storm

Chaos in the City

Evernight City burned.

Explosions erupted across the skyline. Gas leaks ignited into firestorms. Bridges collapsed. The police were overwhelmed.

And in the middle of it all, Harlequin danced.

Wearing his blood-red suit, he strolled through the wreckage, twirling a silver cane, watching the city crumble with pure delight.

Behind him, his masked followers—The Jesters—spread terror.

It was not just destruction. It was a performance.

Then, from the shadows, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough."

Harlequin stopped, tilting his head.

From the smoke, Benjamin emerged. Clad in his dark, battle-worn suit, fists clenched, his eyes burning with fury.

Harlequin’s grin widened. "Ah, there he is! My dear, dear Darknight! I was beginning to think you’d never show!"

Benjamin’s voice was calm, but sharp as a blade. "This isn’t a game, Harlequin."

Harlequin laughed. "Oh, but it is! And you, my brooding friend, are the main character."

The Battle Begins

Harlequin lunged forward, striking with his silver cane. Benjamin dodged, countering with a brutal punch to the ribs.

But Harlequin rolled with it, laughing even as he staggered back.

"HAH! You hit like a man who’s still trying to prove something!"

Benjamin didn’t respond. He just attacked.

Fists met steel as the two clashed. Harlequin was fast. Unpredictable. He fought with a wild, erratic style—dodging at impossible angles, striking when least expected.

Benjamin had faced assassins, super-soldiers, trained killers.

But Harlequin?

Harlequin was insanity incarnate.

And he loved every second of it.

Harlequin’s First Quote

As they fought, Harlequin dodged a brutal kick, landing on top of a burning car.

He grinned down at Benjamin.

"You think this city wants to be saved? No, no, no, my dear Darknight… it wants to be free."

Then he threw a handful of explosives.

Benjamin barely dodged as the street erupted in fire.

The Turning Point

Benjamin rushed through the flames, tackling Harlequin to the ground.

The clown laughed in his face.

Harlequin spat blood and giggled. "Ahhh, I felt that one. You’re finally getting into the spirit!"

Benjamin pressed his forearm to Harlequin’s throat. "You’re done."

But Harlequin just smirked.

"Done? Oh, Benny-boy, I’ve barely started!"

Then he pressed a button on his wrist.

BOOM.

A building collapsed nearby, trapping civilians.

Benjamin’s eyes flickered to the disaster—just for a second.

And in that second, Harlequin stabbed him.

A small blade, hidden in his sleeve.

Right into Benjamin’s side.

Harlequin’s Second Quote

As Benjamin stumbled back, Harlequin twirled the bloody knife.

"See, that’s your problem. You still think this is about winning. But me? I just want to watch you break."

Benjamin, bleeding, forced himself to stand.

He ignored the pain.

He ignored the burning city.

His focus was only on Harlequin.

The Final Clash

With a roar, Benjamin charged.

Harlequin barely dodged as Benjamin’s fists became blurs of fury.

One strike—to the ribs.

Another—to the jaw.

Then a final, brutal uppercut—sending Harlequin crashing into a wall.

The clown slumped down, coughing blood, still smiling.

Harlequin’s Third Quote

Benjamin grabbed him by the collar.

"Give me one reason I shouldn’t end this."

Harlequin’s eyes twinkled with pure madness.

"Because, my dear Darknight… you need me."

A chilling silence.

"Heroes need villains. Light needs darkness. And you?"

He leaned closer.

"You have no idea which side you’re really on."

Benjamin hesitated.

And Harlequin vanished in a smoke bomb, cackling into the night.

The Aftermath

The city burned.

The police sirens wailed.

Benjamin stood alone in the ruins, bleeding, exhausted, watching the destruction Harlequin left behind.

Selene’s voice crackled through his earpiece. "Did you stop him?"

Benjamin closed his eyes.

"...No."

The war had only just begun.

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