The orchestra music swelled through the banquet room mixing with the sounds of silverware on china. The room was elegantly decorated with glass chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and elaborate ice sculptures shaped like different types of flowers adorned the tables, matching their real counterparts lining the walls. People were thoroughly enjoying themselves in the rich setting, but for Dick Grayson it was just another dinner party.
Dick was off to the corner of the room trying to get away from the crowd. He was always swarmed at these events because people just thought he was the "most adorable child" and Bruce Wayne was such a great man for taking him in. He knew that some of the wealthy affiliates looked at him as if he were some type of pet, like a lost puppy taken in off of the streets, but he also knew he meant more to Bruce than that.
Bruce had brought him here because they were going to go on patrol afterwards, but as soon as the party started he was lost to the crowd. He had shown up a few times to check on Dick, but was always swept away by people wanting to talk about loans or big projects for the city. This particular party was in celebration of a rare plant that was found and could help find cures for cancer. Since Wayne Enterprises sponsored its founding, Bruce of course was the center of attention.
"How much longer is this going to last?" Dick asked aloud, leaning his head back against the wall.
"Are you bored?" someone asked him. He looked to the side and found a woman close to Bruce's age approaching him.
"Um, no ma'am. I just have some school work to do tonight." He covered. He couldn't look ungrateful in this kind of party. He had appearances to keep up.
"I wouldn't blame you if you were. These types of events must seem dull for one as young as you." She smiled. She was a pretty woman dressed in a sparkling green evening gown that matched her eyes, but contrasted with her auburn hair. "May I join you for a while?"
"Sure." Dick said. He was trying to figure out what she actually wanted. No one really spoke to him unless they were waiting staff, or Bruce was nearby. She looked familiar but he couldn't quite place where he had seen her before. "I'm Richard." He introduced himself, extending his hand in greeting.
She shook his hand lightly. "Oh I know who you are, dear. You are quite well known throughout Gotham. My name is Pamela, by the way, no need to call me ma'am."
There was something about her name that was ringing a definite bell. "Um, Pamela have we met before?"
"No, I don't believe so. I think you would remember meeting a woman like me, darling." She smirked, as if she had told a joke but only she knew the punch line. "Besides I've only been to one or two of these things. I don't usually run with this pack of elites, but I came tonight because I was interested in the flower display. Such lovely specimens," she said playing with the corsage on her wrist. "I never imagined I would be able to meet you here though."
"Um, it was nice meeting you too." Dick replied. There was something off about this woman though. A warning signal was going off in his head to leave, but he couldn't see any real danger. She seemed like any other person at the party.
"Do you get lonely being the only child at these parties?" Pamela asked.
Dick shrugged. "I suppose you could say that, but Bruce always does his best to make sure I'm happy."
"Hm, he's a lucky man." She murmured. "You know I can't have children, but I would have loved to have a son like you. You are so well behaved and talented Richard. It must be hard living with Bruce Wayne though." Pamela said. The nice tone to her voice faded away when she mentioned Bruce.
"It's not hard, really. Bruce is actually very caring and has helped me in more ways than I could have ever imagined." Dick responded. He really didn't like when people criticized Bruce. He did so much for the city and most of it people weren't even aware of.
"But it would appear that you're lacking a mother's touch. I could always take you away from here if you wanted." Her voice had changed to a sickly sweet sound.
He didn't know how to react to that. "Uh, I'm quite happy where I am now." He managed to say. Dick really felt the need to get away now; she was starting to freak him out. Crazy being one of the keywords that kept popping up in his mind.
"Well, I'm sure I could change your mind." She laughed. Dick inched away from her. "But I better get going. I'm on a schedule after all," Pamela pulled out a compact from her small clutch and opened it up. It seemed simple enough, some powdered make-up and a mirror. Dick watched her carefully looking for an opening to leave. He was just about to round the corner when she suddenly latched on to his arm with an unnaturally strong grip.
"Now dear, don't leave without dismissing yourself. We aren't finished talking yet." She turned the compact to the side and blew on it lightly, causing the dust to float into the air, covering Dick with the powder as well. Dick coughed and tried to brush it off of his face.
"Sorry it had to be done." Pamela said.
"What?" Dick asked completely confused by the situation. He felt like his world had tilted slightly and stumbled against the wall. "What did you do?"
"Don't worry. You'll be fine, dear." Pamela said brushing his cheek softly. "I'll take care of you. Now it's time to get what I actually came for."
Chaos suddenly erupted into the room. Skylights shattered and people screamed as vines trailed in through the floor and up the walls. A few of them had Venus flytraps attached that were snipping at some of the drunken party-goers. The vines started snatching up every valuable item they could get a hold of.
"Y-you're Poison Ivy," Dick said. He should have known better. He knew her real name but this person looked completely normal. Ivy's skin was tinted green from the chemical explosion that gave her powers.
"Very good, Richard. Amazing what make-up can hide, right? No one recognizes me and I get away with my precious baby, and you as a bonus." She looked so delighted.
"I won't go with you." Dick spat back defiantly. He wondered what she would even want with him in the first place.
"You have no choice in the matter." Poison Ivy snapped. Dick let out a surprised yelp as vines began to coil around his body, but he felt too weak to fight back. The thorns pricked his skin uncomfortably as he was lifted off the ground and brought face to face with her. "Besides it really won't matter what you want once my powder takes effect."
"Someone will stop you." Dick ground out, futilely trying to pull away from his bonds. All he managed to do was rip his suit jacket.
She laughed. "Dear, no one will stop me. You're going to be my bargaining chip."
Dick groaned as the vines squeezed him a little tighter, and then snickered looking up toward the skylight. "L-looks like you were wrong."
Poison Ivy looked up just as Batman descended down into the ballroom. He tossed small capsules at the plants and they instantly withered as the gases within exploded on them. Batman seemed to be prepared for any type of situation.
"No! My babies!" Ivy screeched and glared over at Batman. "How dare you!"
She commanded her plants to attack Batman. They launched at him but he flipped through them like they were nothing more than mere ribbon, slicing them with Batarangs. He continued to use the weed-killing pellets, making the plants shrivel into decaying mounds on the floor. Ivy let out a frustrated growl. Batman came closer killing off the plants until most of the room was cleared.
"Wait Batman!" Ivy shouted, and her voice quivered with anger. "Unless you want this boy to stop breathing, I suggest you stop maiming my plants." She brought Dick forward so that Batman could see him. The vines constricted around Dick tighter making him gasp involuntarily. One even managed to wrap around his neck like a collar, putting pressure on his throat. Batman's eyes widened slightly at the sight of his ward in Ivy's clutches, and he stopped his assault.
"Good. I didn't actually want to damage such a cute face." She patted Dick's face, and he tried to pull away from her touch. "Now drop your weapons and everything will go smoothly."
Batman hesitated. He never complied with what the villains wanted unless he didn't have a choice, and in this case it was quite obvious Ivy was on edge. He couldn't endanger Dick's life. He dropped the batarangs in his hands to the floor with a clatter. Ivy strode over to the main stage where the rare plant was being displayed and picked it up. The vines holding Dick slithered across the floor behind her like a shadow. She smiled content with the rare flower she currently held in her hands.
"You have the plant, Ivy. Let the boy go." Batman ground out, trying to restrain himself from doing something careless.
"No, Batman. That was not part of the deal. I've come to like Richard. He needs someone other than that pathetic excuse Bruce Wayne, and he'll be leaving with me."
"No, I won't! Let me go you deranged lady!" Dick shouted despite the dangerous pressure on his windpipe.
"Don't you dare talk back to me, Richard." Ivy snapped and ran her hand along his cheek, digging her nails into the skin. Dick winced as blood began to well in the shallow cuts. "Defying me is not a wise choice, dear."
Batman took the distraction as a chance to make his move. In quick movements he had a handful of the capsules that dissolved the plants and threw them into the surrounding area along with a few smoke bombs. Ivy whipped around as she saw Batman advanced toward her, and he quickly disappeared into the fog. She didn't have enough time to move though as he came out behind her and knocked her out with a punch. Ivy fell to the floor where Batman promptly tied her up. The vines holding Dick released him once Ivy lost her concentration and he was cast to the ground as well.
Dick landed with a grunt on his back, panting. Batman knelt down next to him, and helped him sit up. "Are you all right?" he asked, trying to mask the worry in his voice.
Dick moaned and shook his head slightly. "I feel sick. I'm really dizzy." He curled into himself.
"Don't worry, I'll get you help." Batman said, which really meant 'I'll take you home as soon as the cops show up'. He moved Dick to one of the benches along the wall, and let him lay down.
"Did she do something to you?" Batman asked. He grabbed on the clean cloth napkins from a nearby table and pressed it to Dick's cheek.
"I…I don't know. A powder got in my face, but I managed to avoid most of it." Dick whispered, taking hold of the cloth.
Batman stood up away from Dick as he heard the cops start to enter the room. "I'll be back in a minute," Batman told him in a low voice. Dick didn't respond other than a small nod.
Batman walked over to the Commissioner and alerted him of what Ivy had done. He told them that Dick was resting on a bench after the attack but should be fine, and then he vanished up onto the roof.
Commissioner Gordon walked over Dick and bent down on one knee. "How ya doing, kid?"
"Fine, sir." Dick replied quietly.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Gordon asked, keeping a calm voice while talking to Dick. He hated to see Dick involved in these things, especially since he was friends with his daughter.
"Poison Ivy snuck up behind me, and trapped me with her plants. She scratched me too, but Batman saved me." Dick explained briefly.
Gordon watched Dick as he seemed to struggle through his words. "Are you injured anywhere else?"
"Not really," he said quickly. "I just feel a little sick. I think it was the seafood."
"Dick!" the shout came from across the room, and a flustered looking Bruce Wayne had called out to him. He came over to meet him and kneeled down in front of the boy. Sometimes Bruce was quite convincing when he put on an act, although he was genuinely concerned for him. "In all the chaos we got separated. I'm so sorry." Bruce said breathlessly.
"I'm okay. I just want to go home."
"Of course. Is it all right, Commissioner?" Bruce asked.
"Oh, yes. If we have any questions we'll contact you." Gordon said. He patted Dick on the shoulder and rejoined the rest of the police force in detaining Poison Ivy.
Bruce helped Dick up, and supported most of his weight. Dick was barely able to walk on his own. Once they reached the elevators Dick leaned more into Bruce, not able to hold himself up anymore.
"My head is spinning so much," Dick groaned.
"You'll be okay. Alfred is waiting outside with the car, and we'll get you checked up once we get back to the manor." Bruce said reassuringly.
Dick whimpered slightly as he legs gave out, and he started to collapse. Bruce caught him and carefully picked him up in his arms. Bruce looked at him with concern. Dick was extremely pale and he had his eyes shut tight.
Dick glanced up at Bruce. His vision was darkening and his ears had the familiar ring whenever he became lightheaded from a tough workout. "I-I think I'm going to pass out," Dick mumbled and then his head lolled to the side into the crook of Bruce's arm as he lost consciousness. Bruce looked down at Dick worriedly. What did Poison Ivy do to his son?
This idea has been plaguing me for months. I initially came up with this story idea last August, but haven't found the inspiration to put it into words until just recently. I love Poison Ivy. She's one of my favorite villains, and I wish she was used more in Young Justice. I've tried to keep her character believable, but I don't have much to go on. I'm basing her personality mostly off Poison Ivy in Batman the Animated Series.
Feel free to leave comments/reviews. I would really appreciate some feedback on this :)