Chapter Ten
Felicia Hardy
Black Cat slipped a small diamond bracelet that the person behind the counter left in her care. The jewelry store was always busy, the reason why she chose to shop there. It was one of the best and supposedly had the best security whom were no were in sight, making this little theft easy which disappointed her just tad. She expected a full brawl with security guards over a trinket like many jewelry stores did. She guess the store was so successful that it could afford losing one or two pretties.
With her prize in her bag, she made her way to the exit where she was met by a group of on lookers that were pointing at one of the buildings. Oscorp was smoking from the highest level, police officers were creating a perimeter around the building to keep the onlookers away from the falling debris or the people responsible from the explosion. Felicia knew that Gwen worked there and she sprang into action, she found shelter in a nearby alley where she changed into her Black Cat outfit, hid her bag and clothing in between trash and a dumpster. She made her way on to the roof of the building to get a better view on how close she could get without being spotted by the cops. Jumping from roof to roof, Felicia made her way to the building keeping close to the center of the building, when she reached to the building closest to the Oscorp building she stopped.
Her eyes went to the broken glass that had tiny black dots splattered at the edges, she decided that it was her way in. The jump was a distance but for the feline it was easy as pie so to speak. In the building, her feet slipped in something wet caused her to lose her balance a bit. Felicia looked down at her feet and found herself staring at a smeared pool of blood that gathered around a few bodies that were piled up together. The bodies had coats of scientist and some security guards.
"Why did you have to kill them?! They had families! You monsters! Bastards!" Gwen! Hearing her friend's voice eased her worry but then it came back full force. Whoever did this, they had Gwen.
"There are more people like them, so they can be replaced. As for their families, they will grieve and move on." A young boy from the age of eighteen or twenty had Gwen over his shoulder who was tied up. Felicia slipped through the door, making her way over to them as quietly as she could. "Stop fussing or I will tape your mouth too."
The young man fought with Gwen as she tossed and turned on his shoulder soon Gwen found herself on the floor with the man taking her legs and dragged her down the hall that was stained with blood, bodies, and more destruction. They reach the elevator where it opened to five people who mask that had an eerie smile to them. The man in the center who carried the assault rifle, threw a black, long, duffle bag at the young man.
The order was silent and the young man went to work. He stuffed Gwen in the bag non to gently, neatly secured into her clothed prison the man grabbed the strap.
"The Joker will be proud of you, Galen. You are working your way up the latter." The man with the shotgun said with pride. Galen, the one who carried duffled Gwen into the elevator, shrugged his shoulders but remained quiet.
"Just doing this because I have to." Galen growled. Felicia found hatred in the man's voice. He didn't want to do this.
"Ah come on Gally! The Joker has big plans for all of us and remember it was you who came up with the idea. So don't start saying you don't like what you do, you little runt." The man with a mico smg came forward with his hand extended out, "Give me the girl so we can go."
"How about forget the girl and have fun with me?" Felicia came out of her hiding spot, swaying her hips as she walked toward the six armed men.
"Felicia?! Run! Don't play a hero!" Gwen cried out as loud as she could, tears and perspiration loosening the tape around her face. She tried to rip the tape off her face but the moment she lifted her hands to her face she felt that Galen had taped her hands together into one huge fist. Why hadn't she realized it before?
"Baby doll, I think you confused me for someone else. Now then, who wants-hey! You almost hit me you know!" Felicia had ducked in time when the man with the bullpup rifle fired his weapon. The five men stepped out of the elevator while Galen had Gwen.
"Galen, we will take care of the pussycat. Take the girl to the Joker. He's waiting." The man that held the shotgun fired missing Felicia's arm as she twirled out of harms away. Galen gave an invisible nod as he and the man with the assault rifle went inside the elevator with bagged Gwen screaming to let her friend live, soon the doors closed and the started to go down. Felicia cursed after finding refuge behind a copy machine.
She didn't expect them to be heavily armed or that the explosion was intentional. The Joker needed Gwen but why? That doesn't matter now! Have to save Gwen! She could find the reason later but now she had to take down three men who had every intention on killing her. The man that had a Thompson was the first she took down, the muzzle of the weapon poked out above her as the man made his way around the machine, Felicia grabbed the end of it and pulled it out of his hands. She swung the end of the weapon but missed as the man leaned back to dodge.
Felicia threw the weapon away and sent a kick at his side that he grabbed before it smacked into him and twisted her leg. She spun her body so she landed on her hands with one foot free she slammed it straight into the man's pelvic. The man fell to the ground in seconds holding his mid-section pain burning in like the pits of hell, screaming out loud from the pain. She moved to the second man the man with the bullpup rifle. The man came running from the corner where she was, gun drawn. He fired when he spotted her, Felicia ran towards him dodging the bullets that came at her in invisible speeds. Her elongated nails grew sharp and fine as she made her way towards him.
Black Cat felt one bullet graze her and another burry itself deep into her leg but that didn't stop her. She lunged at the man who managed to get two shots after all his failed attempts, her nails embedded themselves onto his chest, piercing his heart. She held him down as he squirmed to get free. When the body stopped moving, Black Cat let out a breath that she held. Adrenaline was her best friend, blocking the pain of the gunshots but she prayed that she wouldn't go into shock after. With the burst of energy she quickly limped to the last man who guarded the elevator.
No words were said as the man opened fired like his two friends.
She felt a few stings of bullets grazing her body again dancing her way to the third man. She had her hand in the air ready to slice his throat but before she could the man was on the floor, unconscious. Nightwing was behind the man as the elevators closed behind him. "Way to take the fun away." Black Cat muttered under her breath but glad for his help. "Wait, you idiot! They have Gwen! Go stop them-"
"Felicia! You're okay!" Gwen popped out from behind the tall masked man.
"Wow you're fast." Felicia winced as Gwen hugged her, her body already finishing up the last bit of adrenaline.
"Why didn't you two tell me the truth!?" Gwen cried in her friends arm then turned her attention to Nightwing who kept his facial expression blank which angered Gwen.
"We will explain everything when we get back to my house, Gwen." Nightwing said matter of fact.
"Ahh yeah but before that I need to visit the doc. If you two haven't' noticed I'm bleeding here and I know Gwen wants me to be alive before she kills me and you whoever you are." Felicia felt her body growing cold and clammy. Her vision started to blur and swirl similar to a hangover but different. "Wow are your faces are messing together." Felicia fought the dizziness till the vison focused but the blurriness remained.
"Felicia! Dick we have to take her to the hospital!" Gwen shouted at her boyfriend who had lied to her about who he really was. Oh she'd make him pay for lying to her and Felicia too! Did Peter find out that Felicia was Black Cat? Was that the reason for the break up? Really Gwen, really? You are thinking about this right now? Right, first take her to the hospital then kill them. Good. She liked the plan. The elevator opened, Felicia was in Nightwing's arms and Gwen behind him under his order.
The two remained in silence while Felicia moaned in pain every few seconds and complaining about her ruined outfit.
They reached the bottom floor where a group of armed police officers had their guns aimed at them. Felicia groaned, Gwen gasped hiding herself behind her masked boyfriend, and Nightwing glared at the frighten men and women in uniform.
"Nightwing?" One of the men in uniform said.
"Are there any more?" A woman spoke, her eyes glinting with excitement hoping that there would.
"No, we took care of them but the two woman need medical attention." Nightwing stepped forward as the people in uniformed moved out of his way Gwen followed suit like a lost puppy. When Nightwing placed Black Cat in the care of the paramedics, he turned his attention to his girlfriend who was wrapped in a warm blanket. Despite her being a complete mess she was still beautiful.
"Gwen, we need to talk."
"Not now, Nightwing. I have to be with my friend right now, later we can talk about…us." She whispered the last word when a paramedic towards her, urging her into the same ambulance where Felicia was in.
He didn't let his fear show but god did her words scared him. Was she going to end their relationship because of this? Most likely he thought but he was not going to lose her. He will find a way to win her over trust again even if it took years. He'd wait for her because he loved her. Gods he had planned on asking her to marry him next month and all that would be put on hold. Damn he should have come clean sooner.
I'm not going to lose her.
Felicia slowly came to after a surgery and few hours of rest that she found herself alone in a hospital room. There was so much white that she thought she was in an asylum. There were machines beeping as they monitored her heart and another slipping drugs to dull the pain that she came to realize.
She pulled herself up into a comfortable position on the medical bed when she heard the door open from her room. Gwen came in with a cup of coffee with a man tailing her. He was pretty cute, okay he was fine as hell especially in that three piece suit. Wow Gwen sure knows how to pick them!
"You two have some explaining to do!" Gwen said as she sat down next to my right and mysterious handsome stayed on her left.
"Gee, Gwen I'm fine thank you for worrying about me. I could have died you know!" Felicia crossed her arms over chest only to wince when she pulled at the IV a little too hard.
"I knew you would live. Now explain! How is it that my boyfriend and my friend are heroes? When were you two going to tell me this?" Getting scolded by Gwen was never a pretty sight, even her boyfriend winced at the tone of her voice. Felicia glanced at the man before she died in the trenches of Gwen's wrath.
"We did it to protect you." Gwen's boyfriend answered in their defense. "If others were to know our identities it would put the people around us in danger making them targets for our enemies."
"Yeah what he said. It's common knowledge for us heroes. Even Peter knows that." Felicia bit her lip as the secret went out and Nightwing glared at the injured woman. Gwen tightened her grip on her cup of coffee. Things started to add up in Gwen's mind, putting the pieces together and everything made sense. Their lateness, their horrible excuses on why they were late, unknown bruises and cuts.
"Peter's a hero too!?" Gwen shouted then covered her lips with her free hand, "Who is he?" She didn't hide the curiosity from her voice. She was finding out that she was friends with heroes she was more excited by that fact than anything. Who wouldn't?
"Spiderman," Felicia said giving in first earning another glare from Gwen's boyfriend. "Hey she deserves to know now that she knows our secret mister."
"I'm friends with heroes...surreal! Wait does Pamela know about Peter?" Gwen asked her eyes glowing.
"Oh yeah! Funny thing too she's-"
"That's enough. She doesn't need to know everything." Nightwing said tightly. Gwen narrowed her eyes at Dick's reaction, was Pamela a hero too? Why didn't he want her to know?
"I deserve to know!" Gwen said but Nightwing shook his head.
"There are something you shouldn't know, Gwen. For your own safety." He left no room for argument but Gwen was going to find out one way or another. He left the room without another word leaving a very pissed off Gwen and a very loose lip Felicia that the moment the man left the room she began to tell Gwen her about her adventures but ignoring Gwen's questions on Ivy and Peter by spilling hers. Nightwing was right, Gwen didn't need to know about Ivy.
What would she think when she find out that not only she's friends with heroes but also villains that were once dangerous. No Ivy and Harley had to the ones to talk to her and explain. She just wished that they were okay...
Poison Ivy
Kill her, kill the bitch! Make her suffer! HER! I stared at Harls who confessed to me that it was a trap as my thoughts turn violent and murderous. My hands wiped away my tears after telling Peter that we were through and I shot myself from the bed making my way over to Harley who backed away scared.
"Red, I'm sorry p-please!" Harley stumbled backwards her hands up, defensive but that didn't stop me. I wanted to hurt her.
"Harls why!?" I forced the words through my teeth rich with fury. My hands grabbed the frighten Jester and shook her violently trying to understand her, to understand why she did it.
"He's my puddin'! It was the only way to prove my love to him is still true!" Harley's tears stained her make upped cheeks. Did I hear right? Did I fucking hear right? What did he do to her?
"He DOESN'T love you Harls! He isn't the man who can love another person but himself! He hurts you! Makes you his punching bag! That is not love! What about Eddie? Do you know that, that man really does love you? He is willing to put his damn life on the line for you, willing to do ANYTHING for you but you gave him up for man who doesn't appreciate you!?"
"Red, it's not like that!" Harley interrupted me but I kept going. "He hasn't done any of that! Mista J is really sorry!"
"Yet you gave him Eddie who loves you and me who he hates like if I ruined his life when in fact we did nothing to him! Harley don't you know that he is only using you to control you? That man is all about control and power! If he controls you he has me in the palm of his hands and now he has Eddie. Don't you care about Eddie? What had he done to deserve this? If Eddie dies it will be in YOUR hands! You will become more of a monster than that Joker. You ARE worse than the Joker!"
"Ivy… I'm not…" Harley burst into sobs that almost made me stop my rant.
"Was this all a plan from the beginning? Where you in the plan all along?" I shook her so hard that I knew I was hurting her before I could stop myself my hand went up in the air to strike her but when I saw her drowning in fear. I felt my anger crumbling as my own tears started to fall. "Oh Harley, I'm sorry!" I pulled her into a tight embrace. I reminded myself that she was a victim, under the Joker's care who knows what she's been through.
"Red, I didn't want to do it! I swear, Red, it's all my fault!" She cried in my arms and I couldn't carry out my anger any longer. Seeing her so broken by her decision, hurt me more than anything.
"It's okay, we will get through this. Harls look at me, we will get through this like we always do. Okay?" I soothed her as she cried herself out of her misery. How much emotional pain can I endure before I can be at peace?
"It won't be. Pudd-Joker, is going to kill you, Red. Eddie will be dead too…" Harley sniffed. Her arms were loosely around me like a child, a worn out beaten child. My Harley…
"Harley!" The Joker burst through the room, his nostrils flared out in anger. "I hope you're done saying your goodbyes." He marched his way towards us, Harley began shaking in fear, and I held her closer to my body as physically possible. He didn't enter the room alone, three of my children followed him. Two were Cobra Lilies that slithered behind him, as they stood up they opened up into their known cobra stance and the third one was a Venus fly trap that was the size of a grey hound, they were all young. I nearly burst into another set of tears as I saw patches of black all over them with several light and dark patches of brown on their edges.
I wanted to reach to them but they were long gone to reach them. The Joker had burned them, deprived them from water, and abused them causing them to lose themselves in their hunger making them to become the monsters that Jason wanted. I tried to communicate them but they only hissed in response. What did he do to all of you…?
"Come on, I don't have all day! Pests separate them and bring them along." The Joker ordered and they followed. Harley screamed as one of the Cobra Lilies got close to her, its vines wrapped around her body and gave a hard yank. Soon my arms were empty then tied down the other Cobra Lily. I screamed for them to stop as they carried us out of the cell to wherever the Joker wanted.
"How does it feel not having the power to control them? If I'd had known it'd take so little to get control over your babies I would have done it ages ago!" He laughed as he walked next to the Cobra Lily that carried me.
"You bastard!" I spat out but he paid no attention to it. He just smiled that cheeky smile that I wanted to punch those teeth right out of his mouth.
"Ivy, why, I'm hurt!" He placed his hand over his heart in a dramatic pose that made me cringe. "No matter seeing that you will be gone and Harley and I will continue our relationship as it was before YOU ruined it!"
"What about Lady Shiva? I heard she was your new go to girl." I pushed my head back as his came close to mine with a frown.
"Shiva, wonderful gal really! I had hopes of her being the woman for me but she could never replace Harley. No, no, Harley is the only one for me."
"Don't make me laugh! You just couldn't control her like you control Harley! Lady Shiva proved to more work for you so you decided to go back to the one person who you can control." I somewhat was glad that Joker didn't get his way with Shiva but cursed Harley for not being strong enough to fight him. If and when we got through this alive, I will have a one on one with Harley even if it made her hate me.
"I do love Harls! I do but you don't understand our love!" Joker moved away toward the frighten Jester who worked on her millionth set of tears. "I love you Harley. You know that I'm doing this for you, right?"
"Puddin' please, let Eddie and Red go! I'd stay with you but please let them go!" Harley begged the man who frowned then glared at her. His hand flashed passed her face so quickly that I heard the sound before I saw her head turn all the way to the opposite direction.
"Let them go? Are you insane? They are the reason you are so confused! Ivy is the reason things are so complicated between us and that man-hideous monster-tried to take you away from me. Harls, they are evil people. I only want to protect you! Which is why you will see everything that happens in this very room." He snapped his fingers and two men brought in Eddie. I heard Harley's cries turn into tiny whines as she saw the man who truly loved her beaten into submission.
The moment Eddie saw Harley he started to struggle ignoring the pain, the men held him down without much of a fuss. "Harley! Ivy! Are you two okay?" What a stupid man for asking that question but I found myself shaking my head answering for us both.
"Both of you are going to die, tuhday! How exciting!" The Joker said in excitement that gave me that tangy sour taste to my mouth. Soon my whole mouth started to fill up slowly with that taste, my stomach began to turn. I shook my head as my body began to push the acid from my stomach to my throat burning is it got higher and higher. I felt my panic rise it got closer and closer to my mouth that I fought my restraints wildly. I felt the whole room getting closer and closer to me, air slowly draining, my mind running with fear. I emptied my stomach on the vines of the plant before I could give out a warning. Disgusted, the plant released me to wipe itself from the filth.
My stomach kept clenching for it to be empty till air was the only thing left in my body even then I gagged. The tightness in my chest lingered after I had stopped my body covered in cold sweat.
"What's wrong with her?" I heard the Joker ask but no one gave an answer.
"Red, what's wrong?" Harley was suddenly by my side, her hand gently rubbing my back, her hand touching my cold forehead.
"I get what's going on! You want to go first don't cha Ivy? Who am I to deny a woman's request? Harley, bring her to me." I lifted my head up to shoot him a glare but the man was already prepared, he had a hunters knife already in his hand and along his left side was a tray of many toys for him to kill us.
"She's sick! We have to take her to the hospital!"
"Did I ask for your opinion Harley? Bring her to me…now!" A hidden threat was there that Harley bit her black colored lip and hug her shoulders in defeat. Her hands pulled me to my feet but weak from my sudden trip with Peter and being almost killed by Livewire caused me to stumble a bit to my death. Eddie started to shout at Harley to see reason but my friend shook her head with her eyes tightly shut.
"Harley, you can't do this to her!" Eddie screamed but the men held him down on his knees, "She's been there for you since the day you two met! You can't let him kill her! You can't help him murder your best friend and her unborn child!"
I'm not pregnant! I wanted to scream at him but it made Harley stop and take a few steps back away from me her eyes full with shock, regret, and guilt…so much guilt. "Red, are you…really? Really going to be a momma?" Her high pitch voice turned into a squeak as the words came out. I looked away unsure on how to answer it because I took the test four times and three out of the four said negative but one said positive. Not only that if I really was pregnant, there was a chance that Peter could not be the father. I wanted to push those thoughts away but they kept coming filling my brain with an uncertain future. What is the child was from Jason? Will Peter still love it? No, he wouldn't be part of the child's life even if it was his. The child will be branded by my life choices and will be the picture of evil. The only way to save my child from it was to disappear and start a new life where no one knew of my past or my origins or better away from humans all together.
"Mista' J you can't kill her! Please! You can't that life inside her can't die!" Harley rushed towards the Joker and went on her knees begging. Eddie looked away not willing to see his girlfriend beg in front of another man. The Joker scratched his head with the tip of the hunters' knife with a confused look on his face then it changed deep in thought. I didn't like it when a devious grin spread across his face as if he had a bright idea.
"You're right Harls. I was pretty disappointed that Jason died since he was my go to guy for going green, but he left you with a parting gift. I wasn't going to really kill you Ivy, to be honest, I wanted to control you but seeing that, THAT, will never happen… Your friend, Eddie, gave me the best news ever! If I can't control you, I can surely control the child. Yes, imagine! I will be its' adoring father and Harley its' mother! A life that was created by Jason and you who will be able to control plants… You should have told me sooner!"
I fell to the ground unsure of what to make of the Joker's new plan. My child, if there really was a child, was already doomed for a life of crime and pain something I didn't want for it. My hands went protectively over my stomach. I didn't want my child to be raised by a mad man, no! What would become of my child? What would Peter do? I found myself charging towards the Joker in a trance to protect Harley, Eddie and my…child. Why am I still having a hard time admitting that I was?
Eddie roared out in anger, "IVY! DON'T!" I wanted to slice the bastard's smile forever thinking on raising my child. It is my child! My and Peter's child. I'm going to enjoy murdering him then I'd be free. Free from everything. I found myself being blindsided by the Venus fly trap that tacked me with its jaws wide open, I clawed at its' jaws breaking free then continue towards the Joker who had Harley in front of him.
"Cobra's protect daddy will you?" The two Cobra Lilies went for the attack, latching on to me like leeches, sinking their tiny hairs into my flesh injecting their acids but it didn't stop me from moving. I moved my arm forward, I heard one of them scream as I ripped it apart that alone killed me a little more. They were coming back to their senses but still not there still not fully away on who they were attacking.
Their mother.
Their giver of life.
Spider-Man
"Peter..." I heard a feminine voice say. At first, I welcomed the greeting. I instinctively assumed it was Ivy, changing her mind about leaving me. But when I got up, hearing the voice again, my blood went cold. "The children are coming to play." she cooed. Lady Shiva. As I looked out of my window, I began to hear a chilling, creepy, almost motherly song play in the air, sung by the surprisingly beautiful voice of Lady Shiva. Children began to slowly walk out into the streets, entranced by the song. In an odd way, it was booming, while still being high pitched and soothing.
"The world is cruel,
A prison, dark
Where hate and ugliness breed
Come with me now
Enter our park
Where her babies feed
When she awakes
In tears she'll swim
For she was too late
But as for you
My children, sweet
Morsels on the plate."
I shook my head, crying in horror, pain and tragedy. I pushed with all of my might to escape Parallax's control. All of my energy, all the power within me began to focus. My ring glowed bright enough to light up the entire room, and I felt like I was lifting a boulder high above my head...WITHOUT strength proportional to a spider. I screamed in pain as my body began to light up. When the light disappeared, I found myself in my body again. I gave a sigh of relief, thinking what to do next. I knew Ivy needed my help, but I needed to save those kids first...But those plants were being controlled by The Joker. I could never let them die, those plants were Ivy's children. I quickly ran outside, trying to reach the pit.
I must have been running at top speed as I got to the pit. It was about 1 and 1/2 miles away, and even with my superhuman endurance, I had to take a breath. As I stood over the pit, I heard an almost "slimy" noise, as vines, jaws, teeth and plants began to move, preparing for a meal to fall in. Vines and jawed Venus flytrap plants began to crawl out of the pit, staring at me with hunger. I stared at them in complete fear and distress, not for my life, but for theirs. "B-Babies..." I stuttered, fearing they wouldn't recognize me. The plants pulled back a bit, surprised at my introduction. I guess Ivy was the only one to call them babies. They didn't retreat, but they flinched, almost as if in shock.
"You...You're better than this." I told them. "I know you. I know, deep in your souls, all you want is care. All you want is...Concern for your survival, empathy for your struggle to survive. And that's all we want for you. Y-You remember how hurt you were when she said she would never give up her life of crime? You are killing her right now...And you're killing me. Please...I...I want to be a father. I want to help you. Don't give into The Joker's plans. He wants to control you. We...We want to free you."
The plants froze, it almost seemed like they were shaking. I wasn't sure if this worked, but everything I said was the unaltered truth. I really did feel like the father to Ivy's mother, and I didn't want to hurt these plants. Slowly, they began to pull back into the pit, calmly into the Earth. I saw a sheet of leafy green cover the top of the pit, thorns rising above to warn any future "visitors." I gave a sigh of relief, smiling. "No..." I heard a voice in the back of my head say. "NO! Those plants were mine! That fear was mine!" I couldn't help but laugh a little, shaking my head. "You'd think that flies would know better than to mess with Spiders," I retorted. "Tend to get eaten."
"There's that Spider I know and love!" I heard a high pitched, New York accented voice squeak. I turned around to see Livewire. I gasped. I didn't want to threaten her...She went through too much abuse at the hands of Parallax. "That spunky sense of humor, back again. Now he can't control you anymore...And she can't control you anymore." she laughed.
"Livewire," I warned. "Get out of here. Every one of Parallax's allies and cronies is getting arrested, or worse. I'm sorry about Parallax." Livewire shook her head, giving an insidious chuckle. In a way, it was more frightening than Parallax. "Don't be," she said. "It makes me happy."
"What does?" I asked, my anger and fear rising by the second. Livewire shrugged, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Just seeing you free of her grasps." she laughed. "Mine...All mine."
I remember Ivy telling me the same thing weeks ago. How I was all hers. Livewire using those words to describe our "relationship" sent me over the edge. "Get...Out." I warned. Livewire shrugged again, before hitting me with an electrical blast. The blast knocked me down a dune, as I tumbled down. Normally, I'd be able to brisk off or more likely dodge the attack, but I was just locking out the beast at the door. And it was a beast at this point. The voice inside my head was no longer a British accented jackass...It was a snarling, blood lusted, non-sentient monster. "Guess I'll just have to knock some sense into ya, Pete." she sighed. "You're not the only one with...Self-control issues. I've had a similar...Possession to yours for several months now. Some Orange bug called "Ophidian." Know what that means..."
I grabbed her throat, practically strangling her, as I felt immense pain in my bones and flesh as I began to turn into this mindless Parallax monster. I saw Livewire begin to slowly shift into a monster of her own, growing sharp teeth and scales all around her body, as well as growing in size, as her form began to get more reptile like. Finally, after about 2 minutes, I was back in my cabin. I had completely transformed into this Parallax monster, preparing to engage in bloody combat with the Livewire-Ophidian monster.
Livewire-Ophidian roared, baring her fangs, and the Parallax Beast roared in return, before the two quickly and brutally charged into one another. The two wrestled on the ground, tearing, biting, clawing and ripping at each other's flesh with tooth and claw. I felt every wound that Parallax suffered. Parallax seemed to focus more on brute strength and viciousness, mostly attacking with his teeth and slamming Livewire-Ophidian to the ground with his upper strength. Livewire-Ophidian focused completely on her speed and finesse, slashing up Parallax Beast with her claws, targeting specific, vital areas.
It seemed that Livewire-Ophidian was gaining the edge, having slashed at Parallax's legs with nothing held back, blood splashing against her chest. I cried out in pain, I felt like scissors were getting shoved in my thighs and knees. I fell to the ground, fearing that this may be the end. Livewire-Ophidian looked over Parallax with a look of sadistic satisfaction. She slashed at Parallax's face, spraying blood all over her, giving a defiant screech. When Parallax didn't respond, she slashed again, giving another higher pitched screech. At this point, I felt like I was in pure physical torture, torn up and covered in blood from head to toe. She screeched one more time, high and long as possible. Suddenly, Parallax shoved his claws through her mouth and out her nose, causing blood to flow down her face. She screamed in pain, before Parallax decapitated Livewire-Ophidian with a single strike from his mighty clawed hand.
Livewire fell to the ground, as Parallax gave a mighty roar of victory. As terrifying as this fury filled monster was, the biggest scare was yet to come. "PETER!" I heard Ivy's voice cry out. "PETER, PLEASE, WHERE ARE Y..." Poison Ivy stopped as she saw the Parallax Monster standing over a very dead Livewire. Her face was contorted in sadness and fear as she looked at the mindless beast before her. The Parallax Monster may not have been sentient, but the bestial and primal lust he always had was still there...He wanted Ivy's flesh.
Right behind Ivy ran Green Arrow, his bow raised and arrow ready to fire at the Parallax Beast. "NO!" Ivy cried out, pushing Green Arrow's arms away as his shot completely missed the mark. Green Arrow pulled Ivy away, saying something I couldn't quite hear and most likely trying to put some sense in her head. As Parallax Beast descended upon Ivy and Green Arrow, the noise of a helicopter was heard. Parallax Beast looked above to see the Batcopter shining a spotlight on him. This gave enough of a distraction for Ivy to run away, but not for long...The Parallax Beast was in hot pursuit, consumed with a carnal desire for flesh.
Nippy
Nippy and her brothers and sisters had surrounded the area, ready to attack but nothing came. They were still in their human skin, blending in with the darkness as much as they could. Nippy tried not to panic when their mother had not called out to them, she probably needed more time. Nippy wanted to sigh but her nerves stopped her, how long would they be sitting out in the snow? In the cold? Forever. Simple as that. They would wait no matter how much they wanted to bathe in sunlight or dig their roots deep into the earth to get nutrients. No they'd wait because they promised that they would.
The female Venus Fly Trap, bit her human lip that tasted like rubber and quickly released her lips. The taste was awful and she regretted biting it, the taste of rubber lingering on her tongue. Two of her sisters slipped out of the darkness, their arms detached, dangling as their vines touched the ground and slithered up the wall. Nippy hissed at them for being out in the open.
We have to take matters on our own hands Nippy. One of the sisters said who was climbing on the wall. When she reached the top, her vines went back into the form of the hand then slipped on the fake skin to help her sister who reached out.
Mother said to stay put till she called us! Nippy clicked her tongue harshly. She turned her head towards the entrance of the front door.
She's too worried about that human. I swear he's a lost cause. The second sister that was climbing growled. Not everyone was happy on how their mother got attached to others, they didn't like that their mother's attention was divided between them and him. Nippy and majority of her brothers and sisters enjoyed seeing their mother happy with Peter. Peter gave her happiness that was new to their mother, they all saw in amazement on how their mother glowed with Peter, how happy she was.
Now that was threatened by the enemy that took control of Peter, ruined their lives, and put in danger their mother. One thing that they all agreed was on helping their mother no matter what.
Lily, you don't have the right to say if he's worth it or not. Nippy growled. She ran toward the wall where her two sisters had their hands stretched out to help her up. He makes her happy! And she's with his baby!
How can you be so sure about it? Father took her while she was trapped. So it could be father's or be the human. When Nippy was on the roof she slapped Lilly the sister who had red streaks in her short black brown hair, her brown eyes.
That thing isn't our father! You should know better not to call that thing our father! Nippy exposed her human teeth in a snarl when Lily crouched down in attack.
Lily, Nippy, stay focus on why we are here! Lily one more remark on how you value that man our father I will kill you. The first sister that climbed the wall, went in between them. Her name was Poppy she had sandy blonde hair with bright green eyes that had tiny streaks of brown around her irises.
Nippy and Poppy were on Peter's side while Lily and two percent where with the man that hurt their mother in more ways than one. Yet, their mother still loved them equally.
Nippy you are in charge, I know but we have to go now! Maybe mom's in trouble and she can't tell us? A new voice joined in their little chat. This time it was male. Nippy sighed as Poppy, Lily, and their brother were waiting for her to answer.
Get in your positions everyone! We are going in, Fern stay with me. Poppy and Lily spread out and tell everyone. Nippy grabbed her brother's hand (Fern) and ran to the opposite side of the roof away from their sisters who separated into different directions. Fern gave his sister a tight squeeze, making his sister smile. There was a good chance that some would get hurt and die and it scared the hell out of them but for their mother they would put their lives on the line over and over again just like she had done for them.
Fern and Nippy went through the back, Nippy jumped back when the sounds of guns and people screaming from both sides erupted. Fern had short wavy black hair with dark smoldering baby blue eyes with flecks of green giving land for those deep ocean eyes. He kept close to Nippy as they made their way towards the hallway of the building. They remained quiet through the whole walk, both determined to find their mother and help her in any way they could. Fern and Nippy finally were in the building but didn't expect it to be huge.
We have to split up. Fern said, not liking one bit of it.
I'll be fine. Mom didn't make us weak you know. Nippy grinned, looking strong and confident. Fern thought for a while before nodding in agreement. They gave each other a tight hug then placed their forehead together with their eyes closed saying their final goodbyes in case they didn't see each other again.
Be safe Nippy. Fern smiled, sadly, then made his way into the darkness. Nippy sucked in a deep gulp of air and started to look.
Nippy walking into a door where two of Joker's men were gearing up to fight. Both sides were surprised then attacked when their shock passed. Nippy jumped over the table grabbing one of their weapons and whipped it at one of the men's head. Henchmen B went down from the blow in the head while Henchmen A grabbed the weapon pulled it away from Nippy and pulled the trigger. Nippy grabbed Henchman B and used him as a shield. The sound of bullet hitting flesh was a weird for Nippy, the smell of gunpowder and blood gave the room a wonderful sent.
While Henchman A was shooting, Nippy ran with the dead body still shielding her, and charged at him. She threw the body out the remaining man, leaving her open but she ripped her fake skin from her arms and shot them at the man. She commanded the vines to enter his mouth, nose, ears, and eyes, the screams drove her over the moon in excitement. Nippy always found hearing her mother's enemy's screams beautiful and enchanting.
She didn't stop when the vines multiplies inside the man who kept screaming out in pain. The vines wanted to escape so they made their own way out. Starting from the man's arms vines stretched his muscle and skin till the vines ripped and tore holes. Separate opening started to appear all over his body when Nippy was satisfied with the danged she retracted her vines back into shape of hands so she could slip on the fake skin. Her whole body was covered from blood spatter and blotches of human skin that her vines couldn't shake off.
Gotta find them…Can't stop. Nippy ran out of the room unsure of where else to go. She kept moving and fighting her way into the maze. She sniffed the air several times, hoped that she could catch her mother's pheromones and when she did, she let her nose lead the way.
She found a door slightly opened so Nippy peeked in. She saw the Joker laughing, Harley in a trance like, Ivy screaming at her best friend while being carried away from a group of plants that once belonged to Ivy, and Eddie who was ganged on. Nippy watched from her position, slowly melting into a pile of vines then into her real form.
Nippy barged into the room when Ivy attacked the Joker after freeing herself, she took two of the men that attacked Eddie leaving the man with three. Nippy opened her mouth of razor sharp teeth and bit one of the men's arm off then went after the other who tried to run away. She turned her attention to her mother who was now under the Joker who bit Ivy's arm when she tried to claw him with her nails. Nippy slither as quickly as she could.
Before she could get there an arrow or rather a line of arrows stopped her. She gave a feral hiss as the man who dressed up as Robin Hood shot through the door. Eddie got rid of rest of the men and transformed into Venom. Nippy tried to get close to the Joker who had Ivy in his arms pulling her with him, Nippy was not going to let him take her. She lunged towards the Joker, Ivy ducked in time before Nippy crashed into them, and her mouth opened wide and closed her mouth with half of Joker in her mouth. She bit down till her mouth closed completely blood filling up her mouth, she pulled with all her strength, half of the Joker's body fell to the ground while the other half twitched in her mouth from the nerves. Lost in the fray of Nippy felt a slight pinch at the top of her head, she turned to Ivy, her mother, who was in the arms of the Robin Hood screaming for him to let her go. Unsure of what happened, Nippy spit out the body of the Joker and got ready to attack when suddenly her world turned black.
Harley Quinn
Harley fell to the ground unsure of what to do, she was torn between her best friend and her ex-lover. Who was right? Who was wrong? She glanced at Eddie who stood in front of her, his eyes behind the spectacles staring down at her. Harley had decided she wanted Eddie. She wanted to be with him, it could be too late to make things right between her and Eddie but she wanted to believe that there was a chance.
The jester shook her head, tears falling down her face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please help me." She pleaded to him. Harley knew that if the Joker asked for help she would feel it was her duty to help him because he broke her out of her cage and gave her freedom. No… that was not freedom. Freedom isn't being locked into another cage. Freedom was her being without the Joker, no abuse, no hate. Eddie gave her something that she hadn't had, real love and control over her life.
Eddie never told her no and never made her feel less of a person over what she did or said. He accepted her for who she was and loved her. He let her control every aspect of her life and not the other way around like the Joker.
The man in front of her said nothing but pulled her to her feet, turning her around when a small explosion broke out, Eddie protecting her from it. The two were thrown few feet away, Eddie twisted his body to the side along with Harley's.
Eddie held Harley close to his body that their bodies would have become one if he kept holding her. He didn't want to think that it was because of her, the woman he loved, he and Ivy were there struggling to survive. He was upset (furious) not at her (just a tiny bit) but most of it were towards the Joker. When Eddie saw how easily she went submissive to him it ate him up. The woman who he freaking fell in love with was strong, vibrant, and funny but the woman he saw was broken, weak, and still had feelings for her ex… That hurt him the most.
When they survive this, he will make her remember who gave her real happiness, real love. He will make her remember him, his love. Even if he had to lock themselves in a room forever. He will remind her. And she will enjoy it. Venom and Harley heard a scream coming from Ivy who rushed towards the blasted remains of the plant that came to her rescue.
Venom sat up with Harley close to him, he felt a sting in his chest as he saw Ivy (who he started to see as a sister) burring her hands into green goo with plant debris. She gathered as much as she could calling out to it wanting a response. How long will all this pain last?
Harley's emotions were drowning her, fresh tears glided down her already soaked cheeks. Nippy's remains were everywhere along with the Joker's, Ivy's cries got to her and guilt for the millionth time bloomed in the jester's heart and soul. Nippy's death was on her.
The Venus Fly trap that they both loved was gone, trying to save them. Her precious adorable Nippy, gone…That should have been me… Harley thought.
She didn't mean for all this to happen…
She never wanted this…
Ivy stopped crying and glared at the Arrow who had an arrow aimed at her. Guilt was replaced by fear. No, he can't kill her!
"Ivy, you have to stop Peter." Arrow started but Ivy stood up throwing the remains that she had in her hands. The Arrow stood there letting the remains stain his outfit and drip off.
"There has to be another way!" The sentence was forced out of her mouth. Harley knew the only way to stop Parallax was to kill the host. There was no other option, Peter had to die. Again, she blamed herself for it. Her best friend was about to lose the one person who meant everything to her.
"There isn't!" Arrow roared and grabbed Ivy, shaking her violently. "The more Parallax is in his body, the harder it will be to get Peter back. Even if you managed to do the impossible… Do you think everything will go back on how things were? Peter will live for the rest of his life haunted by the memories and it will be too much for him."
Harley held Venom tightly.
I should have been stronger. She cried, she should have done more to help her best friend who did everything to save her.
"I won't kill him! There is another way!" Ivy shouted, pushing Arrow away from her. "If I have to I will save him from you and everyone else! Peter won't die, I won't let anyone kill him." With that Ivy ran to the exit, leaving everyone behind. Harley watched Arrow running after her with his bow in hand and a hand reaching back where his bows where.
"Eddie…help her please. I don't deserve to be saved." Harley sniffed the snot that wanted to escape. Harley wanted to rot in Arkham and never leave. She will make the best of what that wretched place gave her. She didn't mind the padded walls, the treatment were easy for her (they never compared to Ivy's), the people who worked with her always hopped for the best so they gave her the best. Besides she missed being there.
"Ivy can handle herself. You, on the other hand, cannot. You're not getting rid of me that easily Harls. I told you before, I'm not going anywhere no matter how much you fight me. I will be here for you because even though you still have feelings for the Joker I still love you."
"Can I ever be forgiven?" Venom pulled Harley to her feet alongside him.
"Yes but it will take time for Ivy to forgive you."
"I don't want to lose her."
"You won't. C'mon let's get you somewhere safe before I go back for Ivy."
"I'm fine, I want to stay. I want to help. I know how to break Shiva's hold on the children. If you can take care of the guards I can deactivate it." Harley gave a weak smile while Venom grinned exposing his sharp fangs.
"Lovely, so what are we waiting for?" Harley grabbed Venom's hand and ran in the opposite direction from where Ivy and the Arrow ran. They had to stop Shiva while Ivy took care of Parallax. Shiva won't be happy on finding out that her lover was dead. Someone has to tell her. Harley thought bitterly to herself as she ran with Venom towards Shiva.
Poison Ivy
I had to find Peter before the Green Arrow did, there was no choice. If I had to help that damn Parallax escape, to save Peter I will. I will do everything in my power to save the man that I love and father of my child. My feet kept running to where the noises of battle and I only hoped that Peter was there. I stared to scream out for him, even though it was a stupid move but my mind was elsewhere.
"Peter! Peter, please where are y-!" I entered the room where an animalistic roar burst through the whole building. My whole body froze, the color drained from my face and body, I felt raw fear in and out of my body. In front of me was a dead Livewire and a… the only way I could describe it, a monster.
Every inch of me wanted to run away, scream for help, but I stayed put as the Parallax monster set his eyes on me with pure rage. He licked his lips at seeing his next victim, me. My brain set signals for my body to move, my body was glued to the ground.
"P-Peter?" I said out loud hating the shakiness that my voice gave. There was no sign of Peter anywhere, it daunted me that maybe he was gone. Truly gone. What was left was a monster. If it was the case then killing it would be easy…
At the corner of my eye I saw Green Arrow pointed his arrow at Peter-Parallax-I could see the tension on his finger that held the arrow back ready to let go. Before I did I pushed him out of the way before he let go of the arrow. I let a sigh of relief when it missed almost laughed and smiled at my action until the Green Arrow pulled me back.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing? He's gone Ivy!" On and on he went yelling at me, I flinched at it all. I knew exactly what I was doing, saving Peter's life.
"No I refuse to believe it!" How can no one see that there is another way? "We need to find some way to hold him while we find a way to save Peter. Please Arrow, I don't want him to die!" Ugh, I couldn't believe that I was begging the man.
In the mist of our arguing, Parallax made his way towards us like a lion sneaking up on his prey. When we heard his evil purr/growl our heads turned in his direction and got ready to fight. A blinding light broke through the darkness, circling around Parallax distracting him.
"Come on, we have to go!" Arrow grabbed my hand and we ran to put more distance from it. I didn't complain, I followed him my hand still holding on to his. We reached the edge of the roof when he said, "Wrap yourself around me."
"We don't have time to play." I joked but understood what he meant. I climbed on his back, my legs wrapped around his waist, my arms around his neck tightly secured. He shot an arrow that had a thin steel string attached to it. When it hit his mark on one of the highest buildings that was close by, he gripped the rope tightly and jumped off.
The rush of the brutal cold air of the night smacked my body over and over again, each slap colder than the last. We were making a turn when I felt my body fall or rather pulled back, yanking me off the Green Arrow's back. I saw Parallax hand extended with strings of webs coming from his hand that was attached on my back, then he cut it off.
Free falling to the city streets, scared me. Okay scared the fucking hell out of me. I tried to turn my body so I could face the ground but I only managed to turn slightly to my side. My hand reached down, from the ground below several mammoth size green leaves erupted from the ground. One of the leaves broke into three and it reached out to me. They wrapped themselves around me, catching me before I became mulch on the street.
Once safe in their grasp the leaves let me go, sliding off them till my feet and hands touched the somewhat warm concrete floor. Parallax landed in front of me, throwing his claw hand at me, aiming for my head but a leaf blacked the attack. The leaf broke itself into vines and attacked Parallax, my babies wanted blood. Friend or foe, they wanted to hurt for losing their sisters and brothers. Filling their hatred for humans and every non-plant being increased their blood thirst, their hunger for flesh.
I rush toward Parallax, joining in the fight.
Green Arrow joined in few minutes later.
Green Arrow and I took turns with Parallax along with the vines who kept Parallax close and blocked his path when he tried to get distance from us. Arrow unleased a few arrows with explosive tips, aiming for the ground. Dust and pieces of debris broke from the ground the moment the arrows touched the ground clouding Parallax's eye sight.
The Arrow gave out a high pitch whistle, on top of the buildings, and in between broken windows of the buildings around, a small army of hooded men and woman took out their bows and arrows. Some had red blinkers on the tip others, plain sharp steel tip. I felt my heart quicken which caused me to gasp out in pain when each of the hooded replicas released the tension from their fingers, letting free the arrow.
"PETER!" I shouted wanting to warn him but in warning him, Parallax knew something was amiss. He lifted his head up but it was too late. A rain of hundreds of arrows touched the ground around Parallax while others pierced themselves on to Peter-Parallax's body. My body ran toward Peter but Arrow wrapped his arms around me pulling me off the ground, spun me around, away from the crossfire.
"NO! You're killing him!"
"I'm sorry…" That was all, the green bastard, said. Cries of pain and agony surrounded the city, sending deathly chills of fear.
Then the screaming stopped…
Parallax Spider-Man:
"Foolish mortals", Parallax thought. The bond he had with Spider-Man was so strong that could only be killed by someone who loved him. Still, he let Poison Ivy approach him, if only to inflict one last crushing blow on Spidey's morale. Green Arrow's archers had backed away, and it was just him and Isley. When Pamela was close enough, the monster gave out a manic scream of sadistic glee, firing beams of energy all around him. Hundreds of archers fell to Parallax's fear blasts. Parallax swung away with Ivy in his arms, taking her to that forest she loved so much. He couldn't think of a more perfect place to finish her off. Her plants would be too confused to attack him, and having her die in front of the children she loved so much would be oh so ironically cruel.
Parallax Spider-Man threw Ivy to the ground, tears in her eyes. The plants around them seemed to be making noises, writhing and screeching as if in pain...Or fear. Parallax Spider-Man laughed at this reaction, he was such a monster that even plants cowered before him.
"Peter..." Pamela cried. "Y-You know who I am. Please, don't throw all of this away!" Parallax Spider-Man gave a twisted cackle in response. She was a fool if she thought that would work. Peter was no more. Only Parallax remained. Parallax Spider-Man leaned in for the kill when Ivy gave a scream. "Remember who you are!" she shouted. Parallax Spider-Man stopped, looking at Pamela with confusion. He expected her to say something like "I love you!" or something along those lines.
"Peter," Pamela continued, her face contorted in fear and despair. "Remember Gwen's party? Remember those things you said to me...When we kissed? I wouldn't give that injection to just any human, certainly not one I'd give up so easily on. I don't care what you say, I know in my heart, I can never be redeemed. I don't even know if I want to be redeemed. I can't lose you. Not to this. Please..."
Parallax Spider-Man's eyes opened. He didn't transform, but a slightly hazel tinge started to appear in his eyes, as he nodded to Pamela's words. His eyes began to grow, as the hero inside the beast began to recognize the love of his life. Poison Ivy brushed her fingers against Parallax Spider-Man's cheek, feeling goose bumps grow. "Reeeeedddddd" Parallax Spider-Man growled. "Reeeeeddddddd"
A small smile began to grow on Ivy's face, as she gave a sigh of relief. "Yes...Yes, it's Red." she nodded. Parallax Spider-Man caressed Ivy's forehead, giving another "Reeeeeeeddddd" Suddenly, the hovering of a plane was heard in the distance. Parallax Spider-Man looked up to see the Bat Plane, Batman inside, ready to capture Parallax Spider-Man. The monster gave a horrific roar of fury, as Ivy's heart sank. Parallax Spider-Man looked down on Poison Ivy, hatred and fury in his eyes for being deceived so easily. Ivy realized what she had to do, as tears burst from her eyes. She'd try and make it mean something...The last kiss.