Ivy's hideout under the conservatory: 8 pm
A dazed young Robin lies in the middle of a dirty old cell. He slowly wakes to cheer and commotion outside his cell. Pushing himself off the ground to an upright position he tries to get his barring. His attention his drawn by a sudden outburst,
"You brought WHO here?" An irritated female voice spoke.
"Mistress, she said there was no other choice. Plus isn't it a good thing? Now we have some leverage in case we have to face the Batman?" Another woman spoke. Robin was pretty sure he knew who the first voice belong to. But he wasn't sure how, last time he checked this particular person was locked back up in Arkham with heavy security considering how she was able to escape last time.
He looks up as a bunch of women surround the entrance to his cell. His attention was drawn to the green figure in the middle confirming his suspicion, Poison Ivy. Silence surrounds the cell as they stare at each other; Ivy out of disbelief and annoyance that the boy was in fact in her presence, he out of confirmation of his theory and to show he wasn't afraid of her. He breaks it in order to take in the rest of the scene before him. To Ivy's left was a green-skinned woman who he recognised as Iris Hayden, the women who kidnapped Barbara; he suspected she was the other women he heard earlier. To Iris's left stood Jamie Lee, her chocolate skinned was now replaced with a slightly darker green tone as Ivy's. To Ivy's right stood another three women, all he recognised as Sarah Jones, Annabell Sage and Steph Queen, all the missing girls whose skin colour was also transformed different shades of green. All women were covered with leafy one-piece bathing suits with slight alterations, some had straps, some had both arms completely covered by leafy- sleeves, and some had only one arm covered.
He sat in shock as he realises what really had happened to these women. Now he just needed to know for what purpose? She could already control men with just a kiss, what point was there to make Ivy-clones?
"Who caught him?" Ivy asked breaking the silence, talking as if Robin was nothing but a lost dog.
"I did." A woman said appearing from the shadows.
Robin didn't let any of his emotions show on his face, which took considerable restraint as he watched his friend, Barbara walk in sight with dark green skin, covered in a one-piece leafy suit, leafs crawling up her legs forming knee high boots. Robin felt a mixture of rage, horror and sadness as he watched the conversation unfold in front of him, still trying to piece together what he was seeing.
"My dear old friend Barbara Gordon, now why doesn't that surprise me? Now tell me Barbara, how is a good little girl like you able to catch the big Bat's dear pet Robin?"
The green women stared at the ground with a thin line on her face; she appeared to be deep in thought. "I am not sure Mother… he was following me I believe. I- I just knew what to do… I…"
Barbara brought her hands to her head, just like Robin had seen her done a few days earlier at the hospital and then again at Mount Justice. He now understood it wasn't her fighting off unwanted memories, or at least not all of it, it was her fighting off whatever was happening to her. His gut tightens with fear. He knew what information Barbara had about everyone, about him, Batman, Nightwing, the team, hell the Justice League! And he could see she was clearly in pain. Does Ivy even realise how close she was to uncovering everything? She had the dam Batgirl under her control and he was pretty sure she had no clue.
"Why would Robin be following you? Who are you to him?" Ivy spoke, irritation rising in her.
"I don't know- I- I guess because my father is friends with Batman… argh!"
"Ivy, please! She can't handle it, she doesn't know!" Iris pleads drawing Ivy's wrath.
"She is hiding something from me! Still! She has been under the most yet she still fights me! And now we have a fucking bat-brat here to deal with!"
Tension in the air begins to rise, Ivy is clearly pissed, and she wasn't expecting this kind of hiccup in her plans. She has only managed to escape from imprisonment a few hours ago with the help of her new loyal companions. She turns her attention to the boy in the cell, staring right at him, knowing what trouble he has already caused them.
"Kill him. Dispose of the body fair away from here and make it look like some nut-case like the Joker got another one of his boys." Anger builds in Robin at the mention of the Joker and Jason. He didn't know Jason personally but he followed his career closely which lead him to taking over his mantel. Plus all the stories he had heard, he felt like family in a strange way.
"NO! Please!" A cry breaks out from Barbara as she drops to her knees in front of Ivy, still not able to make eye-control with the boy in the cell.
All eyes lie on the girl on the ground. Ivy's curiosity peaks up again in the sudden cry from the girl. She knew Barbara had secrets, and with each passing moment she wanted to know them more and more. Not at first for the any curiosity towards the information she might gain from them, but from what was so important she has been trying so hard not to reveal.
"Why?"
"He-… I'm…he might be useful…he…" The girl pauses. Clearly struggling to find her own thoughts. Robin was sure she was going to revel who he was, who she was. He guessed they might not care for knowing who he was as they would have tried harder to take off his mask. It had a safe-guard mini electric shock if not taken off right. But they probably figured what use was his name as they knew he wasn't of blood relation to the Batman, and if they were only going to kill him, what was the point in knowing his real name? But if they at least figured who she was, if they knew she was Batgirl, they would try a lot harder to gain information, either resulting in her spilling all secrets or her death.
"No! You need to give me more than that! WHAT POSSIBLE USE? WHY is he important to YOU?" Ivy pushes.
"His… his my brother!" Barbara yells, shocking the whole room. It wasn't true, well not really. They weren't of blood relation or anything at all. Hell they only met because of Batman.
"Well… not blood relation I don't think. I don't know but I know I feel in my heart that he is like a brother and I would do anything to protect him. Please Mother, I would do anything." Barbara pleads. Robin tries to wrap his head around what he is seeing. Still unable to fully comprehend what has happen to these women and why, let alone watching his friend beg for his life. Some hope shines in him that she is still in there and not fully under Ivy's control just yet.
Ivy stares down at the girl at her feet, wondering what she can do with this information.
"You will already do anything I ask, or you will die trying to deny me. So what could you possible do for me? What could you give me that will stop the Batman and his little team running after this Robin?"
Even Robin wasn't sure what she could possible do without completely giving away everything and he didn't believe she would. He just knew she would rather die than give in completely, which scared him a little too.
"I… " Barbara sat there fighting off herself, trying to figure out her own thoughts.
"I could bring you Nightwing. I… I know I could. That way you have two of them as leverage, you could use them for your plan. Turn them into us." Shock hit Robin like a lightning bolt. The Barbara he knew, Batgirl, would do anything for Nightwing, she would never put him in harm's way. Batgirl would never suggest turning him and her long-life childhood friend into whatever they were now.
"HA! Just when I thought you couldn't get any more interesting. But how do you suppose you do that? He isn't 'sort-of-your-brother' too is he? And last time I checked all these boys have immune to my mind-control poison." Ivy asks the girl amused and interested in the possibility of pulling-one-over the great Bat.
"No. Um… they do but only from a small amount. If he ingests enough it will at least knock him out… or we get another poison." Ivy raises an eye at the girl, now they were getting somewhere. Imagine the type of respect she would get from the underground community if she could capture both of the Batman's favourite pets? They were parasites that had always been a pain in her backside. At the very least she could dispose of them at the same time. If her plan didn't work out, at the end at least she could destroy the Batman's world.
"Interesting, I have something in mind but he would have to ingested quite a bit, it would take more than just a peak on the lips. How do you suppose doing that?"
"He's… he's in love with me." The girl looks up into Ivy's eyes, unable to tell her more but pleading for her to believe her.
Panic rises in Robin as he realises she might just be able to fulfill out this plan. He has suspected for some time that his adopted brother had deeper feelings for his childhood friend. He was sure she had no clue but it seems some part of her has always known. He was sure by now someone would have noticed him missing and he just hopes they connected the dots between that and Ivy escaping, and hopes even more that someone else runs into Barbara before Dick has the chance to fall into her trap.
Ivy grins, pleased with the development. "Fine. You bring me Nightwing, with no trackers, no trace left behind for Batman to find and I will let you keep your little pet."
On the plus side Robin wasn't in any mediate danger.
Chapter 18
Gotham City: 8:15 pm
Dick's POV
The city is abnormally calm; it seems to be that way a lot lately. Sometimes I wonder if it is really because it is calm or I am just so used to it being miserable and vicious that now I have forgotten what calm really is. Right now I am standing on top of some doughy-rundown building once again looking for a missing team mate. Except it was not just a team mate, it was my adopted little brother, who I promised myself I would do anything to protect. Tim Drake was the third to dawn the Robin persona. Tim was the most intelligent Robin but intelligence only goes so far against experience. And Barbara was not just intelligent but she was also by far more experienced that Tim. And we should have known that. We knew something was not right and now both of them are missing. Either someone has managed to kidnap both of them, or Barbara is just not picking up her phone because it is flat, and Robin going missing is something else or this is linked to Ivy's recent break-out and Barbara acting weird could be due to whatever the chemical did to her, causing her to kidnap Robin for following her. Not to mention that whoever took Robin knew where all three trackers were and communicator, which makes me believe it must have been Batgirl. That gut feeling is back and it is getting stronger with each passing minute. Something was horribly off and right now it was beginning to feel like we are nowhere near finding out what was really going on.
"Nightwing, any sign of them?" Miss Martian said through the mental-link. Communication through telepathy was one of Megan's many talents. She, Superboy, Kid Flash and Artemis are helping with the search. The rest of the team hasn't been informed just yet, I know they would want to help but it would be too hard to manage right now. Poison Ivy was no small time criminal and I was not about to expose the team to the likes of her unless extreme circumstances call for it. However back-up would be useful right now so I let the some of the older team members know and only a hand-full to help. The rest were to keep an eye on all the other cases we were currently working on. Batman was following the clues to Ivy in case she really was behind this all. We had to work all angles of this case before we are too late.
"Not yet, how about the rest of you?" I reply back to her, well-aware of what their responses will be. I feel vibration coming from my phone in my belt, I kept my personal mobile on me just in case Barbara did reply, I knew it was doubtful but I had to stay hopeful. I tune the thoughts out of my head as I quickly answer the phone, it seems it was a good call to keep my mobile on me.
"Barbara where are you? Where have you been?"
"I… I don't know. I mean I just woke up in the ally way four streets over from the library, Dick, I don't know what is happening to me… please I need you." She sounded panicked and my heart ached at the desperation in her voice. She never sounded like this and a big part of me needed to run to her without question; however another part of me knew something wasn't right. I couldn't let her know that I was suspicious though.
"It's okay, I will be right there. Don't move." I reply, I guess there is only one way to find out what is what.
"Please don't tell the others though… I don't want them worrying… I know Batman will tell my father and I can't have him worrying about me anymore. Only you, promise? Please." If that isn't a warning sign than I don't know what is. I really hope I am wrong and she just really does need me.
"Of course BG. Just hold tight." I hang up the phone staring at it, working out a plan of action.
"What was that? Was that Batgirl?" Kid Flash said via the mental link. I didn't think to block out my thoughts during the conversation I was too busy being glad to get some kind of response from her.
"It was and she just called me. She wants me to meet her now. Alone."
"I hate to say it, but that sounds like a trap." Superboy.
"Agreed" The others say in unison.
"I know. That is why you won't be far behind. Just far enough to be out of sight, she is still a Batgirl after all and will be able to spot you out a mile away. We need to be cautious in case she really is under some sort of control… no radio, only use the telepathic link. I will try and get information out of her, if not see what she wants from me, see if she can lead us to Robin." I say, already making my way to the location.
"That sounds dangerous. Shouldn't we wait for Batman to get here? Run this by him?" Miss M asks hesitant about the plan.
"No. There isn't enough time, we will tell him once we know more." I say ending the conversation already seeing the location in my sight.
8:40 pm
Dick's POV
I study the dim ally, wondering whether or not this was a good idea. Maybe it wasn't, but there was no time to waste and I was willing to risk my life in order to save Tim or Barbara, ideally both of them. I drop down making little sound. I hear movement in the shadows but unable to make-out much.
"Nightwing… you came." I hear Barbara's soft voice and slowly see a figure appear out of the darkness. Her red hair stands out flowing freely against a white summer dress I saw her in earlier. She is beautiful however extremely pale. She moves closer to me.
"Of course I did. What happened?" I ask, taking a few steps closer. Normally I would hug her but tonight I am hesitant, instead I bring my hand to her face, cupping the back of her neck, drawing her eyes up to mine. I noticed they are now dark green, unless I was going completely crazy I was pretty sure she had always had blue eyes.
"I'm not sure… all I know is that I just woke-up here with this urge to see you… "She places her small hands against my chest catching me off guard spiking energy through me. A type of daze washes over me, confusing me and clouding my judgement. I wasn't sure if what I was feeling was panic or desire. Maybe it was a bit of both.
"Nightwing, what is happening, is everything okay? Is she…still her?" Artemis asks impatiently. I am not sure how to respond however I find myself replying to her via the mental link, never looking away from Barbara's gaze.
"I'm not sure. If those chemicals turned her into something like Ivy then if she tries anything only then we will know. I am immune to her mind-controlling toxin, if she tries… to… well kiss me then we will know. I will pretend it worked and allow her to take me to Robin. It is our best chance. Megan will keep the mental link open, and if anything goes wrong I put an extra tracker trapped onto the back of my thigh that she won't know about. Either way, it will lead us to Robin and then you can tell Batman before proceeding."
"That is the worst fucking plan I have heard in a long time! Are you crazy?! Just put a tacker on her or something!" Kid Flash virtually screamed.
"That is too risky, she will know. She will suspect something like that or if she finds it half way back to where-ever Robin is, she could ruin it and led us in the wrong direction. I will not risk Robin's life on that. Plus, maybe she has nothing to do with it." I reply.
"This is a bad idea." Superboy added.
"It's too late. There is no other option. Just remember, if something does happen, tell Batman BEFORE proceeding, he knows Ivy' tricks." I end the conversation there; I needed to know now what Barbara was up to.
"Urge?" I know, pathetic but for some reason I was having trouble finding the right words, all I could think about was those eyes and her deep red lips. I know I don't want her to kiss me, it would confirm that she was in fact not herself. That she didn't have a 'urge' or 'need' to see me… she just wanted me out of the way. Yet I had this overwhelming desire to feel the sensation of her lips… and skin against mine.
She whispers, moving closer to me "Yes… desire to stop pretending we are just what we are. Please tell me I am not the only one who felt something when we… crossed that line. Tell me it isn't wrong to feel this way, show me you want to feel me like I do you…"
She stood on her tippy-toes, her red lips only a few inches away, whispering all the things I secretly craved to hear from her for so many years now, only allowing myself to admit it in my darkest dreams. Something tugged in the back of my mind telling me this isn't real, to step away.
"Babs… I'm… is this real?" I ask, unable to look away from her lips, feeling an invisible force guiding me towards them.
"Only one way to find out…" She whispers bring her hands around my neck pulling herself higher, than touching her lips ever so lightly to mine. Desire blinds me, completely taking over my actions. I automatically rest my hands onto her back then closing the gap between our lips. Her lips feel soft against mine, but cold, it doesn't feel right; it doesn't feel as it did that night in my room, but I don't stop. Instead I tighten my grip around her, needing to keep her as close as possible to me, desperately needing this to be real. She opens her mouth allowing for the kiss to deepen, to get faster, more intense. I allow my hand to slide its way up her, feeling the curves that make up her prefect body, coming to rest upon her face, cupping her cheek, and then pulling away gently to breath. Gazing into her eyes… green?… A sick feeling tightens my stomach as I realise what this really means.
A sharp pain invades my body as my muscles weaken and I drop to the ground. I slowly comprehend that not only was Barbara not really Barbara, but she poisoned me with some other different poison to Ivy's that was laced on those soft lips. I watched helplessly as she stripped away my belt, communicator and trackers. Then as her skin changed a deep green colour while she moves her arms up in concentration; the next thing I know, I am being surrounded by giant red petals and then blackness as I lose myself to unconsciousness.
Ivy's hideout under the conservatory: 9:10 pm
Robin sat leaning against the middle of the back wall of his cell, listening, studying his captors. So far he hadn't heard much, just something about a 'tank' and that if Barbara acts up again then she will have to take another dip. He didn't like the sound of that. There was no natural light, just artificial lights in the hallway outside of his cell; he didn't mind that as he worked better in the dark anyways so if he can manage to get out then he could use it to his advantage. He watched as Ivy walked by to study inside his cage. She kept coming back and forth from the cell, still not quite believing she had the young hero captured.
"You know what is amusing right now Robin." It was the first time she addressed the boy. He didn't reply to her, he knew it would piss her off.
"Your supposedly sort-of-like-sister, my little pet Barbara Gordon, sat exactly like that in her cell only a few cells over from this one. So cocky she was, so very brave. Although I must say you make a much better prisoner, you are so quiet. Barbara on the other hand, such a smart-ass, always singing, always pleading for us to leave the other girls alone." Robin smiled a little to himself at the thought of BG pissing off Ivy; he was not surprised to hear that in the face of danger she decided to practice her vocal skills.
"She even had the nerve to give me a bloody nose and one of my men stitches." Robin couldn't help but let a hint of a smile escape his lips at the thought of that; that was definitely the Batgirl he knew.
"Oh you might think it was funny dear boy but I assure you her singing changed into screams very soon after that. The irony was that if she didn't play up we would have waited to experiment on her for another day, but instead we finished up about exactly the same time as you and Batman arrived upstairs. Does it kill you to know that you were so close yet so far from rescuing them? That if you had only known you were right on top of us the whole time, and if only Barbara shut her mouth she would have been perfectly fine." Ivy stared down at the boy determined to get some sort of reaction out of him, yet got nothing but an emotionless face.
His face might have been emotionless but inside he felt everything but emotionless. Rage and frustration built inside him at the realisation that he was underground and on top of his was the conservatory; the very place he was only a few nights ago confronting Poison Ivy about her involvement in the case. He let his thoughts go as commotion broke out in the layer. Ivy moved her attention towards the main room, where she watched a giant red flower unfold before her revealing her latest red-headed slave and an unconscious Nightwing. Robin jump to his feet and ran to the bars to see/hoping the commotion wasn't what he thought it was. It was pointless as he couldn't see anything.
"I must say Barbara, I am impressed. I didn't think you could actually pull it off, yet here you are with another one of Batman's star pupils." Ivy grinned at the sight before her; her plans were evolving to be better than she had ever anticipated. The girl before her didn't reply, she only moved away from the boy next to her, feeling broken inside.
Panic rose in Robin as he watched two men under Ivy's control drag Nightwing into the cell opposite to him.
Nightwing hit the ground hard shocking him back into the conscious world. He lay flat on his front, his face against the cold stone floor. He gazed in front of him noticing rusty cell-bars; confused as to where he was. He heard the cell door close, drawing his attention to feet walking past the cell and out of sight. He listen to someone cry out his name, forcing him to remember what had just happen. Where he was; that he was taken. He jolted up, regretting it as blood rushed to his head. He felt terrible, as if someone had shook him violently until he creaked open like a piñata. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to gather his thoughts to figure out what was going on. Robin. He opened his eyes panicked, where was he?
"Nightwing, are you okay?" Robin asked again, breaking his no-taking policy while captured.
"Robin. Oh god, are you okay?" The older boy asks forcing himself up on his feet moving towards the cell bars to get a better look at the boy in the cell across from him. He was so glad to see Robin looking relatively okay.
"Fine, you? What happened?" Robin replied. Memories flooded Nightwing of him kissing Barbara passionately. He couldn't quite believe it all actually happened; he was reluctant to explain it to Robin. He felt for the tracker in the black of his thigh only allowing his hand to pass over it for a second, it was there, that was a good sign.
"Oh do explain Nightwing, tell the class how did it feel?" Ivy approached the cells, curiously and delighted that she had Batman favourite pets in cages.
"What have you done to her? What have you done to all of them?" Nightwing demanded, ignoring her stupid questions.
Ivy moved closer to his cell, bring her face only inches from his, staring into his eyes. "Nothing I need to explain to you dear boy. Oh Barbara would you come over here?"
Ivy's gaze never left the boy's eyes as she studied his reaction as he watched Barbara walk into sight. Barbara no longer wore the summer white dress, instead she was covered once again by a one-piece leafy swim suit, while vines and leafs crawled up her arms and legs. Nightwing's grip tightens on the bars, he still couldn't quite bring himself to believe what he was seeing. He didn't yet understand what Ivy could gain from doing this to these women. They were only beginning to understand what truly happen to these women and yet they still knew nothing at all.
"Barbara, this isn't you! You can fight this!" Nightwing yelled, letting his emotions get the best of him. She didn't reply, didn't even look at the men in the cells.
"No, she really can't. I must admit, I am curious about this whole situation we are here. My little seedling here won't give up her darkest secrets yet she manages to capture not one but two of Batman little proteges, one with only a kiss, well more than one, but a kiss none the less." Ivy says with a bright grin on her face, still studying Nightwing's reaction.
He felt exposed; something that should be so private was a source of embarrassment. But the joke was her; he knew this was a possibility so he prepared for it. Soon Batman and some of the Young Justice team would be here. He had tried to use the mental link earlier but his efforts seem to be fruitless.
"I figured you boys wouldn't give up any information, but I can force it out of her. She can only disobey me for so long; my influence over her becomes stronger and stronger with each passing moment." She turned her back to the cell and made her way towards Barbara.
"What are these two to you? And no 'his-my-brother' bullshit, who are they to you really?"
Both Robin and Nightwing go tense, unable to look away, knowing what secrets could be unlocked.
"I… I can't… Mother please….argh!" The red-headed girl screamed fighting off the pain she was feeling. Fighting off the urge to give into Ivy's control completely, doing anything and everything to protect everything she stood for. She dropped to the ground on all fours, trying to regain balance and control over herself but finding it pointless. Ivy kicked the girl in frustrating causing Barbara to fall to the side.
"For the last time what are you hiding Barbara? What is so important to go through all this pain? Tell me now or try your luck with another session in the tank!" Roared Ivy, she was sick of this. She didn't like to be disobeyed like this, she wanted answers and she wanted them now.
Barbara clenched her mouth together; shutting her eyes closed and covered her eyes digging her figure nails into the side of her skull. Blood dipped down her hands while Ivy called over her thugs to take her away.
Robin braced himself, he knew the 'tank' wasn't a good thing, he over-heard Iris saying she doesn't think Barbara could survive another session. He also knew there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Nightwing panicked, he didn't know what was going on all he knew was that he needed to get out of this cell and help. He desperately searched for a way out, a weapon or a mental connection to Megan to hurry up!
The girl on the ground didn't notice herself being pulled away, she didn't struggle against it; she just accepted it. She suddenly felt herself being lifted up and then a familiar pain washed through her, an electric shook forcing its way to every part of her, every part of her soul. She couldn't hear herself scream every time she managed to bring herself out of the liquid, couldn't process what was happening to her anymore. All she knew is that she had to protect the ones she loved, if that meant giving up herself, her sanity, she would do it.
Robin felt sick to his stomach, shock was paralysing him. He moved to the back of his cell and forgot his poser; instead he covered his ears, refusing to listen to the screams he couldn't stop.
Nightwing screamed out his friend's name over and over again; all he knew was that a part of him was breaking with every passing minute. He felt completely helpless. He couldn't bear to know the pain he heard with each ear-piecing scream.
Ivy's conservatory: 9:50 pm
Artemis' POV
To say that Batman was pissed-off was an understatement. He now had all three protégés kidnapped, or worse under some sort of mind control. Well not even mind-control, some sort of mutation. He didn't say much but we were all on edge around him, we were all he had for back-up right now but we were not trained like the bat-clan, we didn't know his moves, what he wanted from us without having to ask.
I can't get the image of Barbara's skin turning into some sort of green monster summering some giant flower out of the ground around a paralysed Nightwing. It was like out of some sort of horror movie. I feel like my body is automatic, as if I am not really here at all. Guilt was still following me around like some sort of lost puppy. If only I didn't get blind sighted by my own desire we wouldn't be here, having to save our team mates. She came to me that night to hang with; I should have been there for her.
I really hope they are okay; Nightwing didn't look so good lying on the ground. The plan was to follow him, not for him to suddenly drop to the ground, then quite literally being pulled into the ground! I honestly thought that seeing those two finally kiss, not that I actually wanted to see it, but for them to see what we all saw that it wouldn't be some sort of trickery and wouldn't be so fucking deadly. I was hoping to bag the crap out of them not to be saving them from some psycho plant lover!
Miss M and I enter the conservatory from high above. She carried me up; I have to say once it is one of my least favourite things to do. It made me feel like a child. Batman makes his way from the ground. Superboy and Kid Flash hang back watching from a distance; Batman order for them not to enter unless given the order. He wasn't about to risk anyone else being compromised, especially one with superpowers. Lucky for Miss M and I can't be controlled so easily, so we get to play back-up. The boys were frustrated; they were not used to being left out and wanted to do something more hands-on. I was thankful though, I don't think I could handle anymore friends being captured or influenced by some evil bitch. Especially now that Wally and I found each other. Weird timing, and well not exactly ideal for reminiscing in the future, it is not without pain I will think of this time. That really sucks. Why did life always do this to me? Can't I just ever have something good without pain?
I cut open a small circle in the glass roof of the conservatory, big enough so I could get through. Miss M turned invisible and passed through the glass; she has intangibility, the power to pass through solid objects. Honestly I could do so much with that power, yet here I am dealing with what I was given, a good aim. My job is to find high ground, stay hidden and give cover. Miss M has gone ahead to sus out a good advantage point, as well as to see if she can pick up any psychic links to the missing team members. Within seconds she's back giving me a heart attack as she becomes visible again only half-a-meter away.
"Dude I could have shot you! See pointy arrow!" I mentally tell her off pointing the loaded bow away from her.
"Oh sorry! I just found a good spot. I thought I would carry you there, it will be quicker and you can save your arrow-rope-thing-y." She replied. I guess that makes sense. I nod my head, putting my arrow away and taking her hand allowing her to carry me to a high tree-top. It wasn't great but it was the best we had. From here I could see most of the conservatory with ease. I try to look for Batman. I notice a few goons knock up and hidden in bushes; he was here alright and already in place just waiting for the right time to make a move. Nightwing's tracker said he was here, yet so far he was nowhere to be found.
*The tracker appears to indicate he is underground.* Batman said via communicator. He preferred it than the mental link; you could tell Miss Martian was a little insult by that, she didn't understand why anyone would have a problem with mentally communicating.
*Wait, there's movement. He appears to be moving upwards. That isn't good. We must have set off an alarm.*
I don't bother replying to him. Instead I look around trying to figure out if Nightwing was moving upwards, then maybe he would soon be visible. Suddenly the grounds starts shaking and I grab onto the branch I am squatting on for support. That was close!
I watch as three giant flowers rise from the ground. I had to admit it was stunning and bad-ass, Poison Ivy really knew how to make an entrance.
The middle flower unfolds its delicate pink petals to reveal Poison Ivy sitting as if she were on a throne. She smirks into the distance. She can't see us but it is clear she knows that we are here, well at least she expects at least Batman is. I have this major urge to stick an arrow straight through her head. Someone really needs to at least slap that smirk off that face.
"Megan do you have a read on her yet?" I mentally ask.
"No. It is like before, she has somehow blocked me, it would be dangerous if I were to push too much too soon."
Damn.
10 pm
"Oh why don't you come out? I know you're there. Batman" Ivy says in a seductive voice.
A dark figure emerges from the darkest part of the garden and moves without a sound towards a great platform stopping before it. Poison Ivy watches the figure upon her flower-throne, determined that this will be the time she gets the best of the man. After tonight she would be a step closer to her grand-plan, her vision for the new world soon to be fully realised. After tonight the big dark Batman, the gloomy man before her will not get in her way, not without risking his dear beloved pets. She smiles again upon her own thoughts of his destruction.
"Where are they Ivy?" Batman states in a stern voice.
"What on mother's green earth are you talking about Batman?" Ivy replies with a knowing voice, she stares for dramatic effect enjoying every moment.
She continues, "Oh-wait, you don't mean these little birdies do you?"
The green woman widens her arms as if she was delicately preparing for a warm embrace. The two giant flowers, one of each side of her unravel exposing see-through oval bubbles, each contained one pissed-off boy, gaged and bound by the hands and feet like a star-fish. Robin was to her left and Nightwing to her right. She never once looked their way; she only continued to stare at the dark knight in front of her, hoping for a reaction.
Of course nothing showed on his face. He would not give her the satisfaction, would not break the persona of Batman for one minute; Batman was not meant to be affected like that. However the man underneath wanted to scream out in horror, he was happy they were alive but he had seen those bubble-contraptions before. If he didn't be careful Ivy will give the word/whatever-it-is-she-does that will set them off, filling them with acid.
Before Batman had a chance to reply the ground started shaking again. A number of smaller flowers sprouted from various places around Ivy's throne and the two captives. One slightly larger one caught Batman's attention; unraveling to reveal a green-Iris Hayden and two unknown men; Batman figured they were under Ivy's mind-control. He looked from girl-to-girl, they were all green and covered leafs similar to Ivy. He recognised all the women, Steph, Sarah, Annabell and Jamie but where was Barbara?
"Impressive, right?" Ivy raises her eye-brow.
"You're missing one." Batman states; anxious to know where she was.
Ivy glances around counting the girls that are visible. She knows that even though she might not be able to see the red-head that she was here.
"Barbara, care to show yourself?" She demands in a calm voice.
A green-skinned woman appears from behind the flower throne taking her place to Ivy's right. Ivy slides off her seat to stand next to Barbara. She runs her hands ever so gently down the girl's face, smiling to have her old friend by her side.
"You know Barbara here was the one who constructed this little get-together. She has proven herself very useful. If it wasn't for her your little progenies wouldn't be here, of course she hasn't mentioned how she was able to do it, but I have a feeling we both know the answer to that one, don't we?" Ivy paused giving the Batman a knowing smile.
"What do you want Ivy?" He gets right to the point. He feels sick to his stomach seeing his loved ones toyed with like dolls. That Ivy possibility knows who Barbara really is.
"You know there is a strong possibility for me to sweep away with all or at least most of the Bat family tonight. To think what wonders Gotham could get up to then." She ignores him, still smiling to herself, stroking the red-headed girl's hair next to her.
It took all of Artemis's will not to let go of her arrow, not to end Ivy's life right then and there. She was getting more furious by the minute. Miss Martian next to her tensed, still trying to process what was happening. What was the point of this all? She tried to mentally-connect to Nightwing and Robin however the bubbles they were in were providing some kind of barrier.
"Enough games. What is your end-play? What do you want?" Batman stated louder. He was done waiting around. He saw all three people he cared about, plus all the missing girls, he was ready to end this now.
"End-play? Oh nothing much you would be interested in. But I do have a proposition for you, what to hear it?" She replies ever so casually.
"Talk."
"Man of few words I see Batman. Okay well here is the deal, I am aware you probably have back-up right now however if you want both of your little boys alive by the end of the night you won't try anything stupid. Instead I propose this, I give you back these two and you just leave us alone. Or at least a good head-start. If you don't agree with this then I will let the boys take an acid bath right now; there is no way you could save both of them and get through my girls at the same time." Ivy stated waiting on the Man's response.
She knew he would never stop hunting her if she killed them so if she could at least get him off her back for a few hours it would be enough to disappear until they were completely ready to fulfill their plan. If he refused she would try and kill them, then make her escape with most of the girls.
"You know I can't let you leave with those girls. Let them all go now, you will never win Ivy, the police are already outside setting up." Batman stated, almost with a tried voice. This case had really taken a toll on him and he didn't even want to think about the possibility of not being about to reverse whatever it is Ivy did to these girls, what she did to Barbara, to Batgirl.
"One last chance Batman, call off the cops. Allow us passage and you can keep your pets." Ivy demanded, more pissed off now. She was hoping to avoid a fight tonight.
*You ready Artemis?* Batman whispers into the communicator, he was too far away from Ivy and her minions for them to notice.
*Ready. When she goes to activate those bubbles-things I will piece both of them. Miss Martian will go for Robin, you Nightwing.* She didn't mean to give him orders, she didn't even think, but it was a little hard for him to give orders without giving away their plan to Ivy.
"Let them go Ivy." Batman steps forward, keeping a strong posture he pulls out a batarage.
"Fine, be that way Batman. Watch them burn for all I care." Ivy lifts her hands causing both bubbles to start filling up.
Two arrows fly suddenly, one within a second of each other splitting both bubbles wide-open. Ivy screamed in frustration.
"Fine be that way. Iris get Jamie, Annabell and Sarah out of here now. Steph and you two meat sacks stay here, attack Batman and whoever shot that arrow! Barbara put this on and kill Nightwing." Ivy hands the Barbara a small wooden container full of a black poison. The same thing she had on earlier but a stronger dosage. The weaker dose was more of a light-grey colour so she was able to hide it under red lip-stick but this applied as a black paste.
She did what she was told and applied a thick layer onto her lips, not caring about keeping it in the lines. She felt it burn her lips, soaking into them. She walked towards Nightwing as the commotion behind her picks up. The ground shakes as Iris, Jamie, Annabell and Sarah sink into the earth to the underground hide-out in order to make their escape from there.
Arrows fly blocking off Ivy's path towards the Robin. Ivy figures she would go for the smaller boy, drawing attention to them away from Barbara and Nightwing. Of course she would try and kill the teen too but they were more inclined to stop her first from killing Robin before worrying about the mindless girl walking towards the other boy; well at least she hoped.
Batman blocks and dodgers vines and attacks from Steph and Ivy's men. He throws a few explosive pebbles that acts to freeze anything it comes into contact with. Steph lets out a cry as one hits her foot causing her to be stuck where she stood. She was still new at this, inexperienced, and wasn't able to focus on anything else but the cold running up her leg.
Miss Martian flew towards Robin managing to get to the boy before Ivy had her hands on him. Unfortunately unable to un-tie him before Ivy attacked her, throwing giant vines her way. Miss M ducked and fought Ivy and her vines while Artemis made her way closer to the action, shooting arrows at Ivy's vines and plant creatures that were popping up. She had some crazy-turnip creatures racing towards her, with spiky teeth and sharp leafy-feet. At this point she decided that this was definitely a horror movie waiting to be made; she just hoped all the main characters didn't die for once!
Meanwhile Barbara stepped into the great bubble facing her former-friend. She felt her insides tighten as she struggles against orders she was given. She felt like a puppet, as if someone else was pulling her strings. Her figure tips felt cold as she touched Nightwing's face pulling down the vine that was covering his mouth.
"Barbara! Stop. This isn't you, you need to fight this! I know you can hear me! Babs!" Nightwing screamed in desperation as he pulled against his restraints.
The girl stopped as she felt her body tighten. A familiar pain started testing her will as she fought off the voice inside her head telling her that the boy was right, this isn't you. Her grip on the boy's face tightens as she fought with herself. Her eyes closed and lips burned as she felt the poison blending with the previous chemicals she was exposed to.
She barely noticed as a strong hand gripped her shoulder shoving her backwards, sending her to the ground. She couldn't hear the cries for her, she couldn't process anything else but the pain she felt in that moment.
Batman untied Nightwing quickly feeling semi-relief that he got to him in time. Artemis managed to untie one of Robin's hands, allowing him to do the rest as she helped fight off Ivy. Ivy's two goons were unconscious on the ground by Steph who was still stuck to the ground in agony.
Batman glanced at Batgirl on the ground watching her turn over curling up into a ball visibly in pain. He orders Nightwing to stay back from her; they don't know what has been done to her and unless she moves to just keep an eye on her. He then leaves to help the others fight Ivy.
Nightwing nods his head in response to the orders but struggles with the urge to help her on the ground. He doesn't understand what is happening to her but he knows it isn't good. He watched in horror as great leaves surround his friend creating a giant green cocoon.
Meanwhile Artemis aims her bow while Miss Martian and Batman surround Poison Ivy, it was over; she was defeated. She tried to send once last vine their way but Batman froze it with one of his ice-pebbles. He closed the gap between them within seconds, grabbing her wrists as she goes to punch him, twisting her around he slams her against the glass-wall, cuffing her hands behind her back.
Police entered the conservatory as Nightwing yelled out, "Batman! Something's wrong! Come quick!"
Batman shoves Ivy to one a few of the cops and races towards Nightwing while the others followed close behind. They stop a few meters away stunned at the sight before them. Where once lay a young woman was now replaced by a great green cocoon, green light shone through it changing colour to a dark black.
"Batman! Where are the other women? Where's my daughter?" Commissioner Gordon ascended upon the platform, moving to stand beside the caped-crusader. He stops in his tracks as he sees what it is they are staring at.
Batman turns towards the group of cops holding Ivy, yelling. "What did you to her? What is happening?"
Her eyes widen as she takes a close look at what Batman was talking about. A smile consumes her face as she then goes to laugh at the sight. It seems she would get her revenge against them after all.
Artemis draws her arrow moving towards Ivy, anger blinding her. "Fix it now! Whatever you have done, fix it now!"
"Artemis." Batman gave her a warning.
"What is going on? Who did you say that is a person?" The Commissioner said in confusion.
Batman looked at his friend, wondering how he was meant to explain to the man that, that was in fact his daughter. Before he could say a word Ivy spoke up.
"Go ahead Batman. Tell him. Tell him that is little girl is transforming." She laughs again, loving every minute of the scene in front of her.
"Barbara?!" James turns his head towards the cocoon in disbelief. He frozen in shock not knowing how to proceed.
"Miss Martian can you sense anything?" Batman asks.
She takes a steps forward, closing her eyes, mentally reaching out. She shakes her head, not risking speaking, not trusting herself not to break out in tears. She felt the same mental block she did when Nightwing and Robin were in the bubbles.
Suddenly a light shone bright through the cocoon. Everyone watched as it broke apart, leaving a curled up woman in its place.
Nightwing stepped forward slowly whispering, "Barbara…"
The woman's eyes snapped open. She slowly brought her hands to the side of her pushing up off the ground and throwing her hand backwards. She looked around taking in the scene before her. No one made a move, they were waiting, waiting to see what this meant. Her skin was a dark green, her eyes a deeper green however her hair still a bright red, falling into ringlets behind her. She stood up, letting her gaze stop on the man closest to her, smiling.
"Barbara, please tell me you're… you?" Nightwing said staring at her, unable to recognise the girl in front of him. His eyes were first drawn to her deep black lips followed by the black leafy vines crawling up her arms and legs forming make-shift shoes and finger-less gloves. Black leaves formed tight-boy-shorts, while two great black leafs crawled around from her back to cup her breasts, exposing her stomach which held a beautiful-yellow flower.
"Nightwing…It's good to see you." She said in a soft-tone, taking a step toward him, staring up into his eyes.
"Nightwing wait!" Robin called out, panic taking over; he didn't like the looks of this.
The green-girl moved quickly at the sound of the young boy's call. She half-jumped onto the man in front of her, bring Nightwing into a startled kiss. His hands grabbed her shoulders, tightening as pain invaded his body, and then sending him to his knees before her. Batman, Robin and the others call out his name in terror, moving towards them.
"Stop! Or I will kiss him again, killing him in an instance!" She yelled as she knelt down on one knee next to Nightwing, holding him up close to her face. She didn't have the same conflict in her this time. No pain followed with the thought of killing.
"Barbara! What are you doing?" Commissioner Gordon said distressed.
"I don't know who you are referring to but if you want him to survive the next few minutes then you will release Poison Ivy now. I wouldn't think about it too long either, the poison is slowly turning his insides to mush but I will give you the cure if you release her." She demands calmly.
"Barbara-" Batman tries to plead with the girl, he hadn't felt this helpless in a long time.
"NOW!" She moves her lips closer to Nightwing's, looking directly at the Batman, knowing that he wouldn't want to watch another one of his boys die. Knowing that he had the power to give her what she wanted.
She hears muffles as the police un-cuff Ivy, releasing her. She walks up the platform smiling in owe. Her little experiment had evolved into something even better than she could have ever imagined.
"Well, well, well, I certainly lucked out with this one, wouldn't you say Batman? I can defiantly see why you kept her around, I really don't see how you could ever find someone to replace her." She smiled, knowing that she just exposed the secret of Batgirl. James Gordon was confused at first until he thought about the implications of what Ivy just said. The more he thought about it, the more it made perfect sense.
"We had a deal. Let him go and give us the cure." Batman stated, ignoring Ivy's attempts of disrupting him.
The green-woman stood up, letting the boy fall to his side. He felt the darkness call out his name. He so badly wanted to respond, to just close his eyes but was unable to take them off the imposer who wore his friend's skin.
She put her right hand out to her side, summering a yellow flower, letting it stand there shinning bright. "Here, make this into a tea and it should reserve the effects."
She bowed her head as Ivy approached her, moving to stand next to the woman. Ivy smiled at the new found commitment Barbara had.
"Barbara! Wait!" Artemis called out, forcing herself to try to reach her friend.
The green woman looked towards the blond girl, hardly recognising her. She said one last thing before she summoned a great black and white flower to carry them into the earth.
"Call me Datura."
So there is part 1 of my super-long story! Let me know what you thought of it pretty please?:) I have started part 2 already but I was thinking of uploading it separately or is that silly? If you are interested to see what happens from here, whether or not Barbara is cured then hopefully I can convince you to keep reading part 2 when it is up! Let me know if there is anything you want to see or a direction you would like to see the story go in. I can't promise anything but if I think it is interesting I will try my best to please:)
Thank you for reading! It means a lot that you took the time:) x
