She hadn't talked for days. She hadn't eaten either. Liz just sat, and stared at the walls of her cell. It was bleach white, four cornered, and no fun. Liz had seen Daisy. She was doing well. She had just come back to the Area for routine experiments. In fact, the only person Liz would even talk to was Daisy.
"Girl, you should see my baby. He's the sweetest little sugar pie in the whole world." Daisy said, tapping Liz's hand.
Liz nodded. "It's good you're doing alright."
"Oh hun'. I heard what happened." Daisy said, pulling Liz into a bear hug. "I know its hard baby."
"You know everything Daisy." Liz joked.
"Well of course I do." She winked.
Liz stared off into space. They were sitting in the mess hall with the rest of the experiments. They were all jammed into one area. Liz caught sight of a new guy.
"Who's that?" She asked.
Daisy rolled her eyes. "Oh he's a new guy, Felix LeBue. He's from France, but he's been living in New Orleans since he was eight. He's got a good load-if you know what I mean-but he's very cocky."
"I see." Liz nodded. "What's he-"
"-The boy can fly. He's also a pretty good fighter. Knocked me down a couple times." Daisy admitted.
"No?" Liz muttered in disbelief. No one ever knocked down Daisy Hall.
"Believe it hun'." Daisy laughed. "Want me to introduce you?"
Liz shook her head. "Are you kidding? No way."
"From what I've heard, you've been doing well in that department. Is it true you're leading on a super hero?" Daisy said, holding her hands out in front of her. "Men in tights are always so, tight…"
Liz nudged Daisy in the shoulder. "Yeah, it's true. But I don't think I'll be seeing him again. The new director of this dump is probably gonna forbid me from ever leaving this place."
"I hear the new director is Custard's daughter." Daisy commented.
Liz gasped. "Abby?"
"She's called West, but I guess you can be informal." Daisy said.
Liz looked at Felix LeBue and he winked. Daisy whistled. Liz rolled her eyes. "Get over it Daisy, I'm not going to even look at him again."
Daisy snapped her fingers and a small rose grew from her hand. "C'est l'amour!" Daisy winked.
"No." Liz said, standing up. "No way, out of the question!"
The guards walked up to Liz. "West needs to speak to you."
Liz frowned, and shrugged at Daisy. I guess the new Custard wants to rough me up…
Liz was put into a small cube, similar to what an interrogation room looks like. A small two way mirror was put up, and Liz turned her back on it. Abby walked in, now wearing a traditional uniform for the Area. She pulled in a television on a pale cart.
"It's so nice in Bermuda this time of year isn't it?" Abby said.
Liz didn't look at her, or talk.
Abby sighed. "Liz, come on. I'm your friend."
You've got a funny way of showing it. Liz thought.
"I thought you might want to see this." Abby stated. She turned on the television. It was the Gotham City news. "On Tuesday, the day after you came here, the docks were shut down by Captain Stingaree. The Joker and Harley Quinn took over the streets. Poison Ivy took care of the airport. The Firefly is threatening to blow up the entire city with Wayne Enterprise's latest and top secret weapons. The highways have been shut down and literally torn down by the Scarecrow-who by the way is calling you out. Basically Liz, the whole city of Gotham is being held for ransom." Abby explained.
Liz shrugged.
Abby knelt down to Liz. "Liz, I want to help you-"
"You want to help me?" Liz hollered. "Oh that's rich Abby that's rich. If you really wanted to help me then you'd let me go! YOU'D LET ALL OF US GO!"
"But my dad would've wanted me to finish off his work." Abby said.
"You're dad, Abigail West, was a big fat jack ass, which had no idea about human morals. And if you can't think of any other ways to help us besides letting us have a little bit of television that's sad!" Liz screamed. "One woman just had a baby ma'am! A baby that needs her and you keep the woman locked up because you want to carry out the work of an evil man?" Liz shook as she talked.
"You haven't eaten have you?" Abby said in a small voice. "You get irritable when you don't eat."
Liz narrowed her eyes. "As God as my witness I refuse to talk with you any longer Abigail West."
"Well fine!" Abby threw the remote down and it broke. "If that's how you're going to be…And I just wanted to smooth things over!" She slammed the door as she left.
Liz threw a fireball at the television and it shattered in a million pieces. Liz sat there, staring at the wall for two hours before guards took her to her room. There, she tried to figure out a way to send a message to Jaime. It was embarrassing to admit, but she missed him.
Three days past, and the news got worse and worse. Buildings caught fire, unnatural earthquakes rumbled and animals attacked humans. Batman and the apprentices Liz trained with were out there trying to stop the villains, but it was no good. Liz watched in horror each day as they were beat down worse, and worse.
Besides the decrepit state of Gotham, Daisy was worrying Liz as well. After she had been injected with an experimental antidote to the original serum, she had been starting to deteriorate right before Liz's eyes. Daisy was only thirty one years old and it was impossible that she could be suffering from any environmental changes.
One afternoon, as Liz was sitting on her bed, counting sheep, when one of the Cuds came in.
"You have a visitor." He barked.
Liz made no reaction. Very funny.
"Did you hear me you impudent girl? You've got a visitor." He snarled.
"I heard you!" Liz spat. "Take me already, so I won't have to look at your putrid face any longer!"
The guard led her down the wide, bleached halls to the visitor's room. She sat down. It was like in prison, when people visited inmates. There was a telephone on each side and a thick plate of glass separating the visitor and the criminal. No one here was a criminal.
Liz's mother was sitting on the other side, looking grim and uncomfortable.
"Mom!" Liz exclaimed. She put her hand on the glass and held the phone to her ear with the other hand.
"Hello Elizabeth." Her mother said tartly. "How are you?"
"Well, the accommodations could be better." Liz admitted.
Mrs. Garret got straight to the point. "Elizabeth, I'm disowning you."
Liz almost dropped the phone. "Huh?"
"You heard me." She said. "You caused me too much trouble young lady."
Liz took her hand away from the glass. "Mom, what are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about." Mrs. Garret said. "Burning buildings, telling your secret and running around in tights," she narrowed her eyes, "I don't even know you any more."
Liz shed a tear. "What are you saying?"
"Thomas's mind is going to be erased of you. Everything about you is going to be gone." Mrs. Garret explained. "We'll change our names, and as for me, I won't even think about you."
"You can't be serious." Liz said. "You're joking."
Mrs. Garret stood up. "No I'm not." She hung up the phone.
Liz watched her. "Mommy?" She called into the phone.
Her mother stopped for a moment, shook her head, and then walked away.
Liz let the phone drop from her hands. Her arms drooped and her eyes glazed over. How could this happen? Her whole life was falling apart. Could her mother really be serious? And Thomas, he was going to forget everything about her. But Liz would never forget. She was going to have to remember everything that's ever happened to her, whether she wanted to or not.
Liz told Daisy what happened the next day. Daisy had been taken to the sickbay. Her condition had gotten worse.
"An antidote my ass." Liz said quietly.
Daisy patted Liz on the hand. "Now girl, don't you go all fowl mouth on me."
Liz put her hand on Daisy's. "Of course not. I just hope you get out of here. That Felix guy keeps giving me the looks and I'm not even interested." Liz smiled. "I need someone to shoo him away."
Daisy smiled. "Sugar, you gotta learn to do things on your own."
"You don't think I've become Miss Independent? My mother thinks I can do well on my own, so she disowns me. Daisy, I think you can do better than that." Liz murmured.
They were talking in low voices. No one was paying attention to anyone else, and the lights were focused on the scientists.
"Liz, you gotta live a little girl. If that boy comes around you tie him in a knot, you hear me?"
"Daisy!" Liz laughed. "I couldn't do that, even if I tried. Besides, It's probably best that that hero that you've heard about sticks with me. I could hardly figure out he liked me much less start over."
"Probably right girl. Don't take advice from a dying woman." Daisy pitied herself.
Liz shook her head. "Please don't say that Daisy. You're the last person I've got now." She held up her fist, but Daisy lowered it.
"I know hun'. You've counted the names a little too many times now. I'm beginning to think you're becoming obsessive." Daisy said.
"Right." Liz nodded.
"Your time is up." A Cud ordered.
Liz squeezed Daisy's hand. "I gotta go."
"Alright, I'll see you soon." Daisy called.
The Cud dragged Liz out of the infirmary. "Go to your room." He ordered.
Liz stuck her tongue out and as she walked away, sparked a small ember on the bottom of the man's foot, which made her smile.
Daisy was gone by the night's end. She had gone into cardiac arrest. Like Liz was going to believe that. One of the Cuds must have done something to her. But what did it matter now? Every single person who was closest to her is out of her life. It all started with her father, then it went to her first boy friend (which Jaime had asked about), Mary, Truman, Tut, her mother, her brother and now Daisy. Eight people, eight ghosts and one person to remember them all. It wasn't fare. Liz always had to say goodbye, always.
Liz hadn't eaten in almost a month. She had followed the days that had past and Liz calculated that it was around April. How she was still going was a mystery to Liz. It was either the rejuvenating ability or the fact that she still was clinging onto the rosary like a leash. But who cared? Liz did.
She was brought back to the interrogation room. Liz was starving, but she was trying to hold on a little longer, just to seal the deal.
Liz could hear small voices in the background. Her hearing had become a little more advanced since the last experiment.
"You can try." Abby's voice said.
"But will it work?" Asked a dark voice.
"Who knows?" Abby answered.
The door opened and Batman walked into the room.
"Hello Elizabeth." He said.
Liz didn't move.
"I know you know the situation of Gotham." Batman continued. "Abigail told me everything that happened."
Liz didn't answer.
"People are dying Liz." Batman said.
Liz rolled her eyes. "You don't think people are dying here too?"
Batman looked at Liz for a moment, but he gave up and walked out of the room.
"How long until she speaks?" Abby inquired.
Batman shook his head. "Never."
"Then let me go and see her!" A third voice declared.
Abby sighed. "It's worth a shot."
Liz rubbed her thumb against the rosary. The door opened again. Liz didn't check to see who it was, she didn't care.
It was Jaime. "Liz?"
She didn't answer.
"We should leave them alone." Batman said.
Liz could hear them walk out.
"They're not there." Jaime said. He handed her an apple.
She took it and gave him a small smile. She noticed his suit was all battered. It looked like he rolled around in dirt and not bothered to even think about showering.
"Why haven't you eaten?" He asked.
Liz shrugged.
"And you didn't drink either." Jaime continued. "What's the matter with you?'
"Nothing." Liz said. She bit into the apple hungrily.
"Liz, Gotham needs you." Jaime said. "The whole town is going to fall apart."
"It's not that bad." Liz said between bites.
Jaime blew hot air from his nose. "You're right Liz. Fires burning, food running short, hospitals filled to the brim. Yup, it's not bad at all."
"You said it." Liz stated. "Glass is half full, great job." She punched him in the shoulder and handed him the apple core. "Well thanks for stopping by, it has been a real slice." She walked over to the two way mirror and knocked. "Hey? I ate, and I wallowed in someone's pity, can I go in my room now?"
"Liz you're not listening! Please…you don't even have to stay for long. You can help us clean up and then we can send you back." Jaime said.
Liz started to laugh. "You think I want to be here?" She slid down the wall and sat on the floor, eyeing Jaime as she went. "Abby's keeping me in here…Besides, there's loads of other super heroes. Why don't you ask them for help?"
"Don't you think we've tried?!" He hollered. "Damn it Liz why aren't you snapping out of it!"
"Maybe because I don't want to!" Liz yelled back. "I've lost everything, everyone I've ever cared about. Every person I had ever come in contact with is either gone or is going to be!"
Jaime narrowed his eyes. "But if you're still here, shouldn't you be making sure everyone else with a family stays together? Liz you are loosing it. Why are you living like this?"
"I dunno." Liz shrugged. "I guess it's because I'm trying to kill myself and God's not giving me what I need."
"What you need Liz," Jaime said, "is a reality check! You're still here Liz! And you're still able to fight! Why don't you?"
Liz crossed her arms. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yes! I would! I would love to know why you're sitting on your ass all day while people are risking their lives to save Gotham!" Jaime yelled.
"Well when you figure out an answer for me I'd love to hear it!" Liz screamed. She stood up and slammed on the mirror. "Get me out of here!"
"Liz!" Jaime said. He grabbed her arms. "They're not there!"
She pulled her arms out of his grasp. "I'll make them come back!"
Jaime's arms dropped to his side. "You've lost it Liz. You're gone now…" He walked to the door. "I waited so long to see you. Paco's missed your dry sarcasm. Abby's even feeling bad. But if you want to sit here, and watch Gotham fall to the ground, go ahead. Please, just waist away in your cell. Because that's obviously all you're good at."
Liz watched him as he walked out and shut the door behind him.
She sat down in her chair. "Why would anyone move to Gotham anyway? The place is dangerous."
Behind the door, Jaime massaged his head. He was getting a massive head ache.
"I take it you didn't convince her." Batman sighed.
He shook his head. "We don't need her anyway."
"Maybe we don't." Batman uttered.
Liz was brought back to her cell. It seemed smaller. She sat down on her bed and stared at the wall for a long time. She didn't even realize it, but she had started to cry. The slot for her food opened and her food smelt rank to her.
Liz put her hand up like a gun, aimed and incinerated the food. Two minutes later, Abby came in and shut the door quietly.
Now where's Paco hiding? Liz thought.
Abby sat next to Liz stiffly. "Liz. I know you're not gonna eat even if I tried to get you to. But please listen to me. I am going to let you go. I'm going to let everyone go. You're right. I made a mistake and I'll never do it again. I'm shutting the Bermuda Triangle Project. It's been a couple centuries and I think it's time to get over it all. What my grandpa started is finally coming to end. So in the next couple of days I'm going to be returning people to their family. I've also prepared a jet for you. It's the fastest we have and it'll get you to Gotham in no time at all."
Liz looked at Abby. "April Fools!" She exclaimed.
"I'm serious Liz. Here." Abby pushed the keys into her hands. "It's got insurance."
"That's too bad." Liz said, taking the keys. "I was going to ram it into city hall."
Abby led her to the docking station. "It'll take a half an hour or so."
Liz sat in the seat. "So how much do you get if I crash it?"
"A lot." Abby admitted.
"So I expect to have that money to my name when I get back. Because as you might know, I've been disowned." Liz shut the top. She started it. "Now how do I fly this? Oh right, here's the wheel…where's the gas? Oh well, at least it's got insurance on it…"
Meanwhile, Speedy, Static and the rest were fighting the Scarecrow's army.
"I think I've worn out my puns." Static said.
Speedy shot an arrow. "Is that your way of saying your tired?"
Gear kicked a skeleton in the ribs. "I guess it's his way of saying everyone's tired."
"Don't state the obvious." The Blue Beetle (or Jaime) said. He picked up a car and chucked it at the advancing skeletons.
"I told you those protein shakes worked." Wildcat exclaimed.
The car was flying back towards the Blue Beetle. He ducked just in time.
Wildcat's eyes widened. "I guess they got some shakes of their own."
"You think?" Static asked. "So where's Red?'
The Blue Beetle shook his head. "Not coming."
Plastic Man fell right in front of them. "Talk about rigid... It was just a joke!" He hollered at one of the skeletons.
The town was full of villains, not to mention heroes trying to stop them. The people had been pushed into shelters. Food stores had been either ransacked or blown up. The worst of it was that no one could even recognize anyone they met. Fire engines roared, and ambulances littered the streets in desperate attempt to help the injured. There was this darkness that loomed over Gotham. What the city needed was some light…
Liz was getting nervous. She was approaching Gotham and didn't know how the heck she was supposed to land this clunker. She gasped as she saw huge trees clouding the airspace.
Right, Poison Ivy. Very original. She thought. Now what? She looked around. Nestled in the trees were other planes and jets that had planned to stop at Gotham to refill their engines. Now they were trapped. Flares shot up in desperate attempt to get Liz's attention.
Liz wondered why they hadn't just climbed down.
Vines shot out towards Liz. They went straight for the engine. Liz tried to unbuckle her seat belt but it snagged and jumped out of the jet with her. She started falling towards the trees. Luckily, she caught herself on a sturdy branch. She looked around; people were waving from their planes. She nodded back and jumped from branch to branch. Liz had to get down before Poison Ivy found her. Her mouth dried up and she searched around for an easy way down. Unfortunately the branches stopped half way down from the trees. Liz rolled her eyes and took the seatbelt that was still clinging on her and wrapped it around the narrowest tree. She slid down quickly. As she landed there was a certain stillness that had suddenly overtaken the trees. Liz turned and observed them for a moment.
A vine snapped and wrapped around Liz.
"Hold on!" called Green Arrow. He shot an arrow at the vine and it snapped in two.
Liz took in some much needed air. "Thanks."
"You're Red aren't you?" He asked.
She nodded. "Where's Speedy?"
"In town. I'm just stationed over here." He informed.
"Why don't you help everyone down?"
He looked up at the planes. "They're much safer up there. The animals are even scared to go up and Poison Ivy is holding them ransom. I'm just here to make sure none of them are hurt."
Liz licked her lips. "Where's she right now?"
"Somewhere in the trees." He said, looking around. "But you better get going. I've got it here."
"Alright." She started to run away but Green Arrow let her borrow his motorcycle.
Liz sped out of the airport, and through back streets and into the city. She stopped short and looked around. This place was going crazy. Store windows were cracked open, car doors were torn off the hinges and alarms were drowned out by people running and screaming, not to mention low life scum trying to find pay day.
A street over, a fire had spread four houses down. Liz saw the smoke and followed it. She fell through the roof of one building and looked around for people.
"I can't breathe!" called a small voice. Liz pushed through the wall, which was falling apart and stumbled upon Static.
"Well there you are." He exclaimed. "Help me out here?"
Liz picked up two kids. "Where's everyone else?"
"In the other buildings. These kids are the last in here." Static informed. "Come on."
Liz stepped on his disk and they flew out of the building as it crumbled down.
"My children!" exclaimed their mother.
Static ruffled one of the kid's hairs. "You better take care of your mom. She looks tired."
"Yes sir!" the boy said, saluting Static like a god.
Liz smiled small and set the children down on the ground with the rest of the crowd.
"Let's help the others." Liz said. She cracked her fingers. "I've been sleeping too long."
Static looked around. "Can you move the fire?"
Liz nodded. "Sure, stand back." Liz took in a deep breath of the hot air and the air vibrated every cell in her body. She raised her hands and the fire followed. "Where do you-"
"-Put it on top of the one that fell." Static said.
She set it down and staggered backwards. Static caught her. "That was too much." She said between breathes.
"I can tell." He said, helping her stand.
Liz shook her head. "Ok what next?"
Speedy, Gear, and Jaime got out of the buildings carrying the rest of the survivors.
Jaime almost dropped the old woman when he saw Liz standing there.
"Liz!" he exclaimed.
She waved. There was a burst of armed robbers running the street.
The apprentices assembled and started fighting them with a spark of energy.
Liz punched one in the face and then kicked him to the ground. Another came up with a crowbar.
She caught it as it was sailing for her face. Liz twisted it out of his hand and pushed it into the man's stomach, he fell backwards.
All of a sudden there came a yell from the top of a building,
"RED!" The Scarecrow hollered. "I'm coming for you!"
Liz spun on her heal and the Scarecrow was holding a large pumpkin, which contained an unhealthy amount of fear gas.
"I thought I smelt something bad." Liz hollered. She turned to Static. "Get everyone out of here."
Jaime landed next to Liz. "Hello?"
Liz frowned. "Hi?"
"Wait not you." He said, holding his ear. "Yeah I'm here. What?! Ok I'll be right there." He turned to Liz and chuckled. "Bluetooth."
A car flew towards them and Jaime pushed Liz aside. Liz grabbed his leg and yanked him with her. The car smashed into the asphalt.
Liz started to laugh nervously. "Who was that?"
"It was Plastic Man, Batman and the Flash were taken." Jaime reported.
"Well then I guess it's time to go get them." Liz said. "Who-"
"-Right now you have to go talk with the Scarecrow." He said, pointing to the Scarecrow, who was laughing maniacally.
She nodded.
"Meet us at Arkham." He said.
"Alright." Liz looked up at the top of the building where Scarecrow was. "Wanna give me a lift?"
He grinned and helped her up to the top, and dropped her as he kept flying.
Liz turned to the Scarecrow and her hands twitched.
"You're real name is Elizabeth Garret." He said.
"Very good. You're real name is Jonathan Crane." She answered. "You know, I kind of missed your sorry sack of an ass."
"Likewise." He informed. He threw the pumpkin at Liz and she caught it in her face.
Liz threw it back and it cracked open in the air. She coughed and waited for the gas to take effect. When it didn't she kicked the Scarecrow in the stomach.
"How, did that, I mean…what?" he blabbered.
Liz shrugged her shoulders and picked him up by the shirt. "I guess I'm not scared of anything any more. She punched the Scarecrow in the face and he let out a moan of displeasure. Liz leaned close to the Scarecrow's ear. "So tell me Jonathan, what are you scared of?"
During this time, Jaime and the rest were fighting their way to Robinson park.
"This is taking too long." Static called over the alarms and the yells of people. "We're all needed in separate places of the city. He caught a woman from a building and set her on the ground.
"Tell me about it. Backpack is picking up a lot of Police calls." Gear informed.
Speedy shot an arrow at the back of a robber. "Isn't that illegal?" The robber fell down with a soft pat to the ground and went unconscious.
"Not if you're me." Gear winked.
Jaime grabbed a man out of the way of a truck. "These people are trying to kill themselves."
"I would if I lived here." Speedy said.
Captain Marvel sailed through the sky and Gear catches him. Captain Marvel patted Gear on the head. "I knew I'd get out of that one. You can just throw me back."
"Right." Gear nodded.
Liz dropped the knocked out Scarecrow on the ground and ignited. "Now who wants to be first?"
When none of the skeletons answered Liz shrugged and made a massive heat wave that knocked all of them off their feet and fell to the ground. Liz ran off towards Arkham.
Now was it a left or a right? Liz thought. Oh well… She went left, which was the right way.
"How'd you get here so fast?" Speedy asked, jumping right next to her.
Liz kept running. "The Scarecrow's a woosey, and girls are much faster than boys." She said, panting.
"Oh really?" Speedy inquired.
"Yes really." Liz nodded. She slid down the side of a building and found herself facing what was left of Arkham Asylum.
The fence surrounding the perimeter of the place was dismantled and the front gates were hanging by its hinges. The lawn had been torn to bits and in big red letters were "ha ha" written. From above, Gear figured that it had been made into Batman hanging. They all walked up the pathway to the Asylum, taking in the battered scenery.
Liz stepped on something. She picked her foot up and she found a Batarang. She picked it up and observed it as they walked on. There was a small red blinking light. Liz toyed with it and found that it was a tracking device.
"Right." Liz said to herself. "I think here is good."
"We're not even in the Asylum." Jaime exclaimed.
"But Batman's not in there…Well I guess he's under it, so technically he's in there, but under it. And I don't feel like fighting our way down and back up." Liz informed. "Drill a hole about twenty feet deep or so-"
"-I don't think that's necessary." Gear said. He kicked open a small door that revealed a flight of long, narrow steps.
"And you wanted to go in the Asylum." Liz said, handing Jaime the Batarang. "For your collection."
"You wanted to dig a hole!" He retorted.
She shrugged and followed Gear and Static down the stairs. Speedy shut the door behind them and it was pitch black.
"Lights please?" Gear inquired.
Liz and Static snapped their fingers. The hall was slightly lighter, just enough to get their footing correct.
"Any plans after we get Batman and the Flash?" Speedy inquired.
Liz shrugged. "Stop the idiot that started this whole thing."
"He means how." Jaime explained.
"Fight?" Liz offered.
Speedy smiled. "Well duh-"
Liz and Static put out there lights.
"You heard it too?" Static whispered.
"What is it?" Gear inquired.
Liz breathed in a raged breathe. "Something's in here…"
"What is it?" Jaime whispered.
"My heat scanners are picking up something massive." Gear breathed.
The hairs on the back of Liz's neck pricked. Something was breathing down her neck. She spun around and punched something hard in the face. It squealed in frustration and anguish. Liz made a small fire and found it was Man-Bat.
Liz hugged her arms. "Creepy devil."
Speedy nudged him with his foot. "Golly Red, you knocked him unconscious."
"The man was breathing down my neck." Liz said. "It was a bit uncomfortable."
"Let's just keep going." Jaime encouraged taking a step forward. The stairs under their feet fell out from under them. They fell down into the darkness. Static caught everyone in an instant and they drifted to the ground.
"Where are we?" Liz murmured.
"That's a good question." a voice said out of the darkness.
Static made some light and Liz could recognize many heroes. The Question had answered Liz. There was also the Flash, Huntress, and the Green Arrow.
"Where's Batman?" Liz asked the Question.
"He was taken away a moment ago." He answered. "Where did you come from?"
Liz pointed above the cell. "There's stair case that leads here."
After freeing the other heroes they observed their situation. They were sitting in a small cell that was in an underground tunnel. It was dark and according to Static, smelt like the boy's locker room.
"It's the Joker." Huntress explained. "He's gone completely psycho, and I mean more than usual. He's gotten hyped up on his freedom."
Jaime was staring hungrily at Huntress and Liz slapped him on the head. He cleared he throat and smiled lightly at Liz, who rolled her eyes.
Liz walked over to the bars of the cell and tugged at them. "Lead, eight inches thick, from what I gather."
Static walked over. "I'll get it-"
"No, it's too heavy." Liz said. She sparked her fingers and melted through three bars. "Catch them as they fall." She started melting the bottoms. Green Arrow, Jaime, Flash, and Static each caught one.
"Now let's go find Batman." Flash said, setting down the bar silently.
Everyone rushed out and then they came to a four way intersection.
Gear was silent for a moment. "We go right."
"But I remember being taken from the Joker straight." Flash contradicted.
Huntress shook her head. "Me and Green came in from the left."
"Let's just stick with what the computer says." Liz said.
After a few moments of hesitation the heroes broke away from the apprentices and went their own ways. Liz led through the dreary hallway. She could hear the Joker. He was close. In fact, he was in the next room. Liz peeped through the keyhole.
Batman was tied up, unconscious, with Plastic Man. The Joker had on Batman's utility belt and was polishing it with his thumb.
"This is gonna go well with my evening suit." He muttered.
Liz looked up at her companions. "He's in there."
"Then lets go and get him and get out!" Static said. "I need some grub man."
Liz shook her head. "Not yet, we need to find out what he's got planned."
"Who cares? He's got Batman and we want him back." Speedy said.
"Fine." Liz melted the lock from the inside and they busted through the door.
The Joker looked at them with such concentration. "Well hello there." He searched under his chair, and found a button, which he pressed a million times.
Killer Croc and the Riddler came in, fully armed.
"Take care of these amateurs will you?" the Joker inquired. "I've got personal business to attend to." The Joker ran away with Batman over his shoulder.
Killer Croc whistled and a whole gang of men trouped down the stairs.
Speedy pulled an arrow out and pointed it towards the Riddler.
Liz shot a big fireball at the gang. It had no effect to them. When she saw they were still advancing she shook her head.
"Well boys, it's now or never…"
They all ran into the gang.
"What is black and blue and red all over?" the Riddler inquired.
Static shrugged. "You?" He hit him with a large blast of electricity and he fell backwards into the wall.
It was Killer Croc that took a while to beat. In the end, the last thing they had to worry about was the remaining gang members who had run off. They didn't care. All Liz cared about was getting Batman out of the Joker's clutches.
Plastic man woke up and he went with them up the flight of stairs that the Joker had taken. They ran as fast as they could and soon, they found themselves in the middle of Gotham again.
"That's how they broke out." Liz murmured. "Underground tunnels."
The Joker started to laugh. "Bingo Red! And now before the eyes of all Gothamians I am going to finish Batman, starting with the revealing of his true identity!"
Liz picked up a rock and threw it at the Joker. It hit him in the head and he felt his blood trickle down his face.
Batman came to and swiped his legs under the Joker and he fell to the ground. Batman pulled himself up and snapped the ropes that bonded him. He took his utility belt back and looked at Liz and the rest.
"Next time, wake me." He said. He picked up the Joker by the shirt. "Good job though."
Liz and Jaime were sent to settle all affairs at the airport. Since Liz knew Poison Ivy's tricks this was going to be easy. They were flying towards the airport, which wasn't far.
"So Liz," the Blue Beetle (or Jaime) started, "I was wondering if you wanted to go see a movie or something."
Liz smiled. "You're timing is always a bit off."
"I hardly ever see you in a better time!" He exclaimed. "And when we last met it wasn't much of a good time to ask."
"About that." Liz said. "I'm sorry if I was a little thick headed."
"A little thick headed?" He questioned. "Try a lot."
Liz rolled her eyes. "Thanks…" She looked around. "So what movie are we going to see?"
"I don't know. I was hoping you'd know one." He answered.
She shrugged. "I haven't really been into the tube for a couple months. Maybe you should choose."
"If you decide to stay in Gotham." Jaime said.
"Actually I've been thinking about that." Liz replied.
He looked down at her. "You have to think about it?"
She nodded. "There's a lot to think about right now and I was going to go live-"
A massive tree grew out of nowhere and they slammed into it. Liz grabbed onto a branch in a desperate attempt to make sure they didn't fall to the ground
"Like a bug in a trap." Poison Ivy exclaimed. "I knew you'd come looking after me."
Liz rolled her eyes. "Like we had a choice lady."
Vines grew out of the ground and wrapped around Liz and Jaime.
Liz struggled to get out to Poison Ivy's pleasure.
"Try all you want, but the vines are fireproof." She exclaimed.
Jaime started cutting through the vines. "But it's not razor proof."
"Oh don't worry. I've got something for you!" Poison Ivy said. She dropped a tiny seed onto the ground and a giant Venus flytrap grew.
Liz rolled her eyes. "Funny. The whole bug motif is just a disguise lady." Liz bit the vines and they retracted. "No need to make a pun out of it." Liz spit the fowl taste from her mouth.
"Harley!" Poison Ivy called.
"I'm comin'. I just tried to call him again." Harley explained, running out of a landed plane.
Poison Ivy rolled her eyes and punched Liz in the stomach.
Liz let her breathe escape her, and kicked Poison Ivy back.
Harley Quinn came from behind Liz and kicked her in the back.
She fell forwards and rolled onto her back. Harley helped Poison Ivy up.
Jaime aimed for Poison Ivy, but instead, was swallowed by the Venus flytrap. "Great." He muttered. He pointed his blaster at the ceiling of the plant and blasted through.
Liz was taking on both women at the same time.
She ducked from Harley's kick and jumped from Poison Ivy's lunge.
"I need a little help over here Blue!" Liz called.
"On it." Jaime answered, shooting at Poison Ivy.
Poison Ivy jumped backwards. "Come and get me little beetle."
Liz lashed at Harley Quinn's legs. "So who were you trying to call?" She asked.
Harley lunged at Liz's stomach, but missed. "My puddin', but what does it matter to you?"
Liz finally made contact with Harley Quinn. "The Joker right?"
"What does it matter?" She asked, kicking Liz back.
A smile spread across Liz's face. "I just saw him, and I know where he's gonna be."
"You do, do you?" Harley squealed. "Where is he?"
Liz punched her in the face. "Arkham, in the next hour or so."
"What makes you think that?" Harley questioned.
"Batman is taking care of him." Liz informed. "Just like we are taking care of-"
"-Run guys! RUN!" Gear hollered. Liz turned around and Gear, Static, Speedy and Batman were all being chased by various crooks and villains. Batman threw a Batarang and it hit both Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and they fell to the ground unconscious.
"Now or never you two!" Batman hollered.
Liz ignited and Jaime came to her side.
"See you on the other side?" He asked.
"I'll race you there." Liz winked.
And one way or another, the army of villains was defeated. Though Liz isn't sure, but she had been knocked out towards the end of the fight. Batman finished it off and Gotham City was able to sleep easy that night, what was left of it, that is. Batman took all of the apprentices to the Bat Cave, where he patched them up. It was Liz who worried him the most. She was still unconscious. Maybe it was because she hadn't eaten for such a long time. Regardless. She didn't wake up. She was breathing, and her tail twitched randomly, but never did she move a muscle or utter a single word.
Liz rocketed up. She wiped her eyes clean and looked at where she was. Bats flew over head and she sighed.
The Bat Cave. She thought. Her head was throbbing. How long was I out?
"I gather you're alright." Batman muttered. The man that Liz had seen months ago that first informed her of her tail was there, bringing over a platter of food for her.
"Yeah." Liz said. "How long-"
"A week." Batman answered. "You need to eat."
Liz took the food from the man. "Thanks." She looked around. Jaime was asleep in a chair next to the table that she was sleeping on.
"Hasn't left in days." Batman informed.
Liz ate. "How's the city doing?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Recuperating." Batman responded. "The highways are almost fixed."
"Everyone else go home?" Liz asked.
Batman nodded. "But they keep visiting every other day or two." He handed her the rosary. Liz snatched it away in embarrassment. "Are you Catholic?"
"No idea." Liz admitted. "But this thing is pretty lucky. I thought I might as well hold onto it for a while."
"Well seeing that you're alright, I have a few questions." Batman said.
Liz smiled. "If it's about the Area."
"Oh I know everything about the place." Batman contradicted. "What I want to know is where you'll be going."
Liz gulped her food. "How'd you know?"
"It's obvious you're not going to be here for long." Batman explained.
"Dunno." Liz finally said, taking the last bite of the sandwich. "I was hoping out of the country."
"Why are you leaving?" He asked.
Liz glanced at Jaime. "It's best. Besides, I haven't been able to go out of the country without someone hounding me."
"Are you going to tell him, or shall I?" Batman asked.
Liz drank her water. "I'll tell him. I'm pretty good at saying goodbye."
†