The streets of Gotham were eerily quiet as Harley led Percy and the others deeper into the city. Each alleyway was darker than the last, filled with graffiti, litter, and the occasional stray cat that skittered away at the sound of their footsteps. Percy kept his head on a swivel, Riptide in its pen form in his pocket, while Jason held his coin tightly, ready to flip it at a moment's notice. Ace, her dagger Kaptopris always at the ready, walked beside him, her eyes sharp as they scanned the shadows.

Shadow was close to the back, silent as always, with Will, now dubbed "Sunshine," staying near the center of their small group. It was still surreal, the whole situation. Adopted by Harley Quinn. It felt like a bad dream, but at least they were safe—well, safer than they had been.

“Mama Harley’s gotcha covered,” Harley said, grinning as she hopped over a trash can, leading them through yet another narrow alley. “Nobody messes with my kids.”

Percy couldn’t tell if she was being genuine or just playing with them, but for now, they followed. They didn’t have any better options. The Justice League had gotten too close too many times, and their powers continued to fade in this strange world.

Percy could feel the ocean nearby, a constant pull in the back of his mind, but it wasn’t like before. The connection was weaker, less reliable. It was like trying to reach for something underwater but only grazing the surface.

Jason walked beside Percy, flipping his coin absently, deep in thought. “This is getting too weird, man,” he muttered under his breath.

Percy nodded. “Tell me about it.”

“Hey! No whispering back there!” Harley called out, twirling around to face them, walking backward with the grace of a seasoned acrobat. “You kids are too serious. Loosen up! Mama Harley’s got this under control.”

Ace raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her grip on Kaptopris tightening. She had been unusually quiet since they met Harley, her mind clearly racing with thoughts she wasn’t ready to share.

After what felt like an eternity of navigating Gotham’s labyrinthine streets, Harley led them to a hidden door beneath a bridge. She knocked three times in a peculiar rhythm, and after a moment, a small window slid open.

“Password?” a gruff voice asked.

Harley smirked. “The password is ‘get lost.’ Let us in.”

The door creaked open, and Harley waved them inside, guiding them into what looked like an underground hideout. The air smelled of oil, gunpowder, and something fried—probably food from the sketchy-looking kitchen in the corner.

Percy and the others hesitated before stepping in, but Harley waved them forward. “Come on, don’t be shy! This is one of Mama’s safe spots. Nobody’ll find ya here.”

As they walked further inside, Percy spotted a group of tough-looking individuals huddled around a card game. They barely glanced at them, seemingly used to Harley bringing in strange company.

Percy leaned over to Jason. “Where are we?”

Jason shrugged. “No clue, but it’s better than the streets.”

Harley gestured to a booth in the corner. “Sit tight, kiddos. I’ll get us some food. Gotta keep your strength up if you’re gonna survive in my city.”

As she skipped off to the kitchen, Percy and the others sat down, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.

“I don’t trust this,” Shadow muttered, his eyes darting to the various exits.

“Neither do I,” Ace agreed, her voice low. “But what choice do we have?”

Percy leaned back, his arms crossed. “She’s unpredictable, but she’s not wrong about one thing—we need help. And as long as she’s keeping us hidden, the Justice League can’t find us.”

Will looked around nervously, his golden hair catching the dim light of the hideout. “This place feels… wrong.”

Percy could feel it too. There was a weight in the air, like they were being watched by more than just the people at the card table. The city itself seemed alive with a dangerous pulse.

Minutes later, Harley returned, balancing a tray of what looked like burgers and fries. “Dinner is served! Dig in, kids.”

They hesitated, but hunger won out in the end. Percy took a bite, surprised at how good the food tasted. Even Will, who had been the most reluctant, took a few bites.

Harley sat across from them, propping her feet up on the table. “So, what’s the plan? You just gonna keep runnin’ forever? ‘Cause if you are, you’re gonna need a lot more than me to keep ya safe.”

Percy exchanged a look with Jason. They hadn’t exactly thought that far ahead. They had been so focused on surviving, on staying one step ahead of the Justice League, that they hadn’t considered what came next.

“I don’t know,” Percy admitted. “We’ve been on the run for weeks. We’re losing our powers. And now we’re stuck in a world where we don’t belong.”

Harley twirled a fry in her fingers, looking thoughtful for once. “Sounds like you need a real plan, kid. And lucky for you, I’m good at those. You just gotta trust me.”

Jason scoffed, flipping his coin again. “Trust? In you?”

Harley grinned. “Well, do you have any better options, handsome?”

Jason didn’t respond, and Harley’s grin widened as if she had won the argument.

“Thought so,” she said with a wink. “Now, listen. You keep doin’ what you’re doin’, and eventually, the big bad heroes are gonna catch up to ya. But if you stick with Mama Harley, I can help you disappear. And trust me, nobody knows how to disappear like me.”

Percy wasn’t sure if disappearing was the right move. He still didn’t know why the Justice League was after them so relentlessly, and every time they encountered them, they barely escaped.

Harley leaned forward, lowering her voice. “And just so ya know, if you ever get tired of runnin’, there are ways to fight back. I got connections, ya know? People who don’t exactly play by the same rules as the Justice League.”

Ace’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of people?”

Harley winked. “People who know how to survive. People who don’t ask questions. If you’re interested, I can introduce you.”

Percy glanced around the table. Jason looked skeptical, Shadow was unreadable, and Will looked nervous. Ace, however, was considering it.

But before anyone could say anything, the door to the hideout burst open, and a group of figures stormed in. Percy recognized them instantly—members of the Justice League.

Harley’s grin faltered. “Well, this just got interestin’.”

Jason jumped to his feet, flipping his coin. Percy’s hand went to his pocket, gripping Riptide. They all stood, ready for a fight.

A tall figure stepped forward, his voice deep and commanding. “Harley Quinn, step aside. We’re here for them.”

Harley’s smile returned, but it was colder this time. “Sorry, sweetheart. These kids are under my protection now. And Mama Harley don’t give up her kids.”

The Justice League members exchanged glances, clearly not expecting this.

Percy swallowed, his pulse quickening. This was it. The fight they had been trying to avoid. But they couldn’t run forever.

Jason stepped forward, his coin glinting in the dim light. “What now?”

Percy glanced at the others, then back at the Justice League. “Now, we fight.”