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{{Quotation|[[The New York Oracle]]|The Mendoza Syndicate may have been driven out of Spanish Harlem, but is their criminal empire truly gone? We talked to local law enforcement to get their take.
}}

'''The Mendoza Syndicate''' was a crime syndicate located in Spanish Harlem, named after its leader '''Mendoza'''. 

== Summary ==
18-20 years before the events of the ritual, the Mendoza Syndicate controlled Spanish Harlem. Members of the Syndicate harassed innocent people, including the [[The Arroyos|Arroyo family]]. At this time, the gargoyle that would become known as {{HeroIcon|Ivy}} came to life and protected the Arroyos. Ivy was named and adopted by the family and vowed to dismantle the Mendoza Syndicate and free Spanish Harlem. She dedicated 18 years of her life to this mission.<ref>[[Ivy]]'s background</ref>

After 18 years, Ivy succeeded in dismantling the Mendoza Syndicate, forcing Mendoza to leave Spanish Harlem.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Ivy|hero2=Mo & Krill|number=1|hero_quote1=Mo & Krill|quote1=You're the gargoyle that rode Mendoza out on a rail, yes?|hero_quote2=Ivy|quote2=Pretty much.}}</ref> Mendoza himself told Ivy that he would leave New York after she took apart his criminal empire, however he's still implied to be operating elsewhere in New York without Ivy's knowledge.<ref>[[Ivy's visual novel]] - [[Ivy's visual novel/Transcription#4e - Helping Hand|Chapter 4e]] - {{HeroIcon|Ivy}}: ''"Did he say Mendoza? (...) He said he was going to leave New York!"''</ref> The [[The New York Oracle|New York Oracle]] asked local law enforcers if they believed the Mendoza Syndicate was truly gone.<ref>[[The New York Oracle|Newscaster headline 60]]: ''"The Mendoza Syndicate may have been driven out of Spanish Harlem, but is their criminal empire truly gone? We talked to local law enforcement to get their take."''</ref> 

Ivy says that she was able to take down the Mendoza Syndicate "without murdering everybody".<ref name=":0">[[Ivy/Quotes#Conversations|Ivy conversations]]</ref> The {{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}} mentions that Ivy used to buy tier 4 [[items]] from him during her war against the Syndicate.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Shopkeeper|quotes=Ivy/Voice lines#shopkeeper|context=(Ivy buys t4 item)|transcription=I haven’t seen you buy one of these bad boys since you took out the Mendoza Syndicate.}}</ref> 

A long time ago, {{HeroIcon|Infernus}} used to do work for the Mendoza Syndicate before he was replaced by {{HeroIcon|Vyper}}.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Infernus}}' in-game [[Infernus/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Vyper): ''"Can't believe Mendoza replaced me with someone like her!"''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Vyper}}'s in-game [[Vyper/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Ivy): ''""Savior of Spanish Harlem". Man, I could have been the savior of Spanish Harlem... Ha, probably would have had to stop working for Mendoza to do it, but people can change."''</ref> Vyper herself killed a number of people for Mendoza before she was stopped by Ivy.<ref name=":02">{{PageRef|name=Ivy}}'s in-game [[Ivy/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Vyper): ''"I stopped you when you worked for Mendoza, and I'll stop you again!"''</ref> After getting caught, Vyper was tried for 13 counts of murder, although she mentions that her actual kill count was higher.<ref name=":2">{{ConvoCite|hero1=Vyper|hero2=Ivy|number=2}}</ref> 

It's currently unknown how much power Mendoza still has after his Syndicate was dismantled. One thing he still seems to do is bet and rig fights in the [[Bear Pit]].<ref name=":5">{{ConvoCite|hero1=Lash|hero2=Wraith|number=1|hero_quote1=Wraith|quote1=Mendoza said you were gonna take a dive in that fight.|hero_quote2=Lash|quote2=Mendoza says a lot of stupid shit.|hero_quote3=Wraith|quote3=I lost a lot of money.}}</ref> He also has enough money or influence to send some goons to beat up {{HeroIcon|Lash}} in [[Ivy's visual novel]].<ref name=":3">[[Ivy's visual novel]] - [[Ivy's visual novel/Transcription#4e - Helping Hand|Chapter 4e]]</ref> Mendoza used to be a client of {{HeroIcon|Mo & Krill}}, although Krill refers to him as a client in past tense.<ref name=":4" /> 

While the Mendoza Syndicate has been dismantled, other crime lords have shown interest in taking over Spanish Harlem for themselves. {{HeroIcon|Wraith}} was caught by Ivy looking around the neighbourhood and was warned to stay out.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Ivy|hero2=Wraith|number=2}}</ref> {{HeroIcon|Yamato}} initially didn't care for Spanish Harlem, but considers taking it over for the [[Seventh Moon]] when Ivy mentions it to her.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Ivy|hero2=Yamato|number=3|hero_quote1=Yamato|quote1=(Translated) I wasn't interested in your shabby town, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have it in my hands.}}</ref> While on opposing teams to Ivy, Wraith and Yamato want to take over Spanish Harlem for Ivy's insubordination.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Wraith|quotes=Wraith/Voice lines#enemies|context=(killed Ivy)|transcription=Keep coming at me and I'll make Spanish Harlem the next place I set up shop.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Yamato|quotes=Yamato/Voice lines#enemies|context=((translated) killed Ivy)|transcription=For your insolence, I'm taking Spanish Harlem next.}}</ref> 

=== Mendoza ===
The leader of the Mendoza Syndicate, Mendoza was a crime lord who was forced out of Spanish Harlem by Ivy's vigilante justice. 

While Mendoza has not yet made an appearance in-game, several characters give impressions as to what Mendoza is like. Krill described Mendoza as a "good client", but doesn't deny him being a "bad man" as described by Ivy.<ref name=":4">{{ConvoCite|hero1=Ivy|hero2=Mo & Krill|hero_quote1=Mo & Krill|quote1=(Mendoza) was a good client.|hero_quote2=Ivy|quote2=He was a bad man.|hero_quote3=Mo & Krill|quote3=They're not mutually exclusive.}}</ref> Lash says Mendoza "says a lot of stupid shit",<ref name=":5" /> and mentions that the only person Mendoza hates more than him is Ivy, which Lash considers impressive.<ref name=":1">{{ConvoCite|hero1=Lash|hero2=Ivy|number=1|hero_quote1=Lash|quote1=Looking forward to working with you, Ivy.|hero_quote2=Ivy|quote2=Really?|hero_quote3=Lash|quote3=You're the only person in New York that Mendoza hates more than me, and that is impressive.}}</ref> Yamato mentions that Mendoza fears Ivy.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Ivy|hero2=Yamato|number=1|hero_quote1=Yamato|quote1=Mendoza fears you, gargoyle.}}</ref>

One time, Mendoza told Wraith to bet money on Lash taking a dive in a fight, which Lash proceeded to win, causing Wraith to lose "a lot of money".<ref name=":5" /> Wraith herself dislikes Mendoza, and admires Ivy for "making Mendoza's life hell".<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Ivy|hero2=Wraith|number=1|hero_quote1=Wraith|quote1=Look... I'm a big fan of anyone who makes Mendoza's life hell. Relax. Let's have some fun.}}</ref> Similarly, Mendoza may dislike Wraith as Vyper says "Mendoza says hello" when killing Wraith in the [[Maelstrom|ritual]].<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Vyper|quotes=Vyper/Voice lines#enemies|context=(killed Wraith)|transcription=Mendoza says hello.}}</ref>

It's suggested that Ivy may be worried that Mendoza would seek revenge against her by going after her family. The {{PageRef|name=Hidden King}} tells Ivy that it's only a matter of time before Mendoza goes after the Arroyos to hurt her.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Hidden King|quotes=Ivy/Voice lines#Patrons' Heralds|context=(Ivy start)|transcription=It's only a matter of time before Mendoza comes for the Arroyos to hurt you. Protect them, Ivy. Summon the Hidden King.}}</ref> While Ivy is trapped in the Baroness Hotel, {{HeroIcon|The Doorman}} taunts her by asking who would be protecting the Arroyos from Mendoza while Ivy is participating in the ritual.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=The Doorman|quotes=The Doorman/Voice lines#Hotel Guest Taunt - Hero Specific|context=(taunt Ivy)|transcription=If you’re here with me, who is protecting the Arroyos from Mendoza?}}</ref>

While incomplete, the [https://youtu.be/zDdlk9rz7Ro?si=GtjdsierOR50xIXH&t=568 leaked audio] for [[Ivy's visual novel]] suggests that Mendoza will make an appearance in at least one of the pathways. In [[Ivy's visual novel/Transcription#4e - Helping Hand|Chapter 4e]], Ivy and Lash fight some goons sent by Mendoza to beat up Lash, to which Ivy asks Lash if he can take her to Mendoza himself.<ref name=":3" /> 

== References ==
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