When Poison Ivy agreed to help the Bat with one last super-patient she had assumed it would be Selina Kyle coming out of the Batmobile. When Nightwing and Batman carefully lifted White Rabbit onto a stretcher to be brought into Ivy's greenhouse one dark thought came to the forefront of Ivy's mind.
"Did Harley do this?" Poison Ivy was horrified at Rabbit's condition. The poor thing was still conscious and clearly in unimaginable pain. Batman and Nightwing carry the stretcher between them as they follow Ivy into her greenhouse.
"No," Batman pauses "It was my fault."
"If I'm going to attempt to help her I need full disclosure," Ivy snaps "She's been crushed like an aluminum can I seriously doubt this is your doing Batman."
The Bat doesn't respond as he carefully transfers Rabbit from the stretcher to Ivy's worktable.
"Catwoman tossed her off a roof," Dick speaks for Bruce "You were right Ivy whatever I injected Selina with saved her life at a terrible price."
"I told you," Ivy puts on a set of latex gloves "I assume Selina has evaded you?"
"Where would she run to?" Batman stands over Rabbit protectively while Ivy examines her.
"I'll give you one guess," Ivy waves a hand dismissively "Back up and give me some breathing room!"
"Sorry," Batman takes a step back "What do you know about the Harley Quinn Drug?"
"I know it's 100% addictive on first contact I know once the user has that first dose they'll do anything for another and I know Nightwing was supposed to prevent that from happening," Ivy gives Dick a nasty look "I'd assume Selina has had a second dose by now and here's another fun fact, if someone else administers the Drug the addict becomes very attached to whomever is feeding their habit."
"How attached?" Nightwing asks.
"Knowing Selina she'll kill you to protect her habit and the Joker," Ivy rolls her eyes as both Bats drop their jaws "Who did you think set all of this up?"
"You're saying Selina is with the Joker and he's using this Drug to keep her enthralled?" Batman clenches his fists.
"I can talk to Harley and find out," Ivy takes off the gloves and sits on a stool "Oh and by the way there's nothing I can do for poor Rabbit here other than ease her suffering."
"I won't accept that," Batman looks into Rabbit's pink eyes "Sedate her and keep her comfortable."
"I don't take orders from you," Ivy looks at her patient "But I agree for now let's give her a fighting chance."
Nightwing and Batman have a hushed conversation while Ivy cares for Rabbit. Pamela hooks her up to a heart rate monitor and puts her in a medically induced coma for the moment. Ivy strokes Rabbit's hair as her eyes close and her breathing becomes less labored. This wasn't the first time Ivy had cared for Rabbit while she was on the brink of death.
"Nightwing I need you to get Constantine and bring him here," Batman was formulating a plan "Keep him handcuffed and don't let him use magic."
"I'm sorry who died and made my house the Batcave?" Ivy glares at Nightwing as he departs the greenhouse.
"You need my assistance as badly as we need yours," Bruce looks at Rabbit over his shoulder "I can end the Joker's reign but I can't do anything until you call Harley and find out what we're up against."
"Come in the house," Ivy says in defeat "You better deliver on that promise Bat or I'll give you a goodbye kiss!"
While Batman and his allies scramble to bring sanity back to Gotham, the Joker and his entourage party into the wee hours of the morning. Selina had enjoyed herself but as the sun rises her habit screams to be fed. Feeling nauseated, Selina staggers into one of the penthouse's smaller bathrooms as the cold sweats and tremors begin. Shaking and sweating, she slides into a sitting position against one of the walls and clutches her spinning head. The Joker would happily give her another hit but Selina's stubborn spirit kept her from asking. The door opens and Selina draws her knees in to her chest as Jonny Frost comes in to check on her.
"Are you getting dope-sick?" Jonny kneels and feels the Cat's clammy forehead. Selina tries to swat his hand away but lifting her arm was like trying to lift a truck so she lets out a whimper and shakes her head.
"I'm fine." Selina mumbles.
"Yeah you look fine," Jonny sneers "For the record this Drug thing doesn't sit right with me."
"What Drug thing?" Selina still couldn't admit to herself that she was being controlled and manipulated. The Cat was convinced she was acting of her own accord, that this was where she wanted to be. Before she had sided with the Joker to protect Batman from the inside of the Joker's operation, the perfect double-agent. Now she was with him because she couldn't fathom the atrocities she'd committed in the last twelve hours and staying high kept her from having to face up to what she'd done.
"Fine don't talk to me about it," Jonny stands up "I'll tell Boss Man you need your medicine."
"Hurry," Selina starts scratching around her neck "Please hurry Jonny."
"I will Selina just hang in there." Jonny Frost looks down at Catwoman in pity before closing the door behind him. He rushes to the door of the master bedroom and knocks. Harley and the Joker had gone to bed when the sun first started to rise. The door cracks open and Joker sticks his head out. Instead of speaking Jonny pulls a dose of the Drug out of his jacket and shows it to his boss. The Joker sighs like he'd forgotten to walk the hyenas or something trivial. Jonny Frost had orders to keep the Drug on his person and monitor Selina but the Joker wanted to be the only one to physically give it to her. Turning Batman's one true love against him was one of the Joker's most satisfying victories. The Joker knew a confrontation was coming with Batman and he couldn't wait to tell Batsy he'd slept with his woman. Jonny Frost waits while the Joker puts on a hoodie with his pajama pants and quietly leaves Harley in their bed. By the time the two men reach Selina in the bathroom she has the sleeves of her suit rolled up and she's scratching every inch of exposed skin over and over.
"God damn it I forgot about that," Joker groans "Jonny hold her arms."
"Boss how long can we hide this from Harley?" Jonny whispers as he grabs Selina's wrists. If he released her she'd keep scratching until there was nothing left to scratch. The Joker shoots Selina up and watches as she becomes more lucid, the withdrawal pains gone.
"As long as it takes to kill the Batman," Joker strokes Selina's cheek "Right Kitty Cat?"
"Yup," Selina slurs "Spill the fat man..."
"Jesus Harley can't see her like this she'll flip." Jonny was liking this situation less and less with every passing moment.
"Are you saying I can't control Harley?" the Joker snarls at Frost.
"I'm saying you ain't been yourself especially since last night," Jonny puts Selina's arm around his shoulders and helps her stand. Selina sways she was having trouble finding her balance "Come on Cat let's get you cleaned up."
"I don't remember giving an order." Joker blocks Frost's path with his arm, pinning the bathroom door shut.
"You're absolutely right boss," Frost knew he was treading dangerous waters "I'll go distract Harley so you can tend to those scratches and sober Selina up."
"Oh Jonny Jonny," the Joker pinches his cheek and doesn't let go "When you're right you're right."
The Joker latches on to Jonny's face like a lobster and twists the skin. Jonny just takes the pain of his employer's nails digging into his face and refuses to cry out. Satisfied he got his point across, the Joker lets go of Jonny's cheek and steps out of his path.
"Take her down to your place," the Clown Prince looks at his hand and sees blood under his nails "Whoops looks like I scratched you better sterilize that god knows where my hands have been."
"I know." Selina giggles as Jonny picks her up and carries her to the elevator. She'd only been poisoned with a touch of Joker Venom but it spent a lot of time in her system before Nightwing gave her the "antidote" which cured the poison and introduced the Drug to her system. Between the Venom and the Drug Selina had gone more than a little mad. Once Jonny and Selina depart in the elevator the Joker gets back in bed with Harley.
"Puddin where'd you go?" Harley asks as he lays next to her.
"Handling business Sweets," the Joker tweaks her nose "I do have a partner that helps me run shit but she's been so lazy recently."
"Ha ha ha," Harley starts tugging off his hoodie "When do I get an enchanted tattoo?"
"I'll catch you a pet mage," the Joker sits up and pulls off his shirt "Would that shut you up so I can sleep?"
"Puddin you're hurt," Harley examines the scratches on Joker's back from the Cat "What the hell happened?"
"My peace negotiations with the Cat didn't start so peacefully," the Joker winces when Harley touches one of the deeper scratches "I'm afraid she used me as a scratching post."
"Baby you're bleeding," Harley gets out of bed and goes into the bathroom for gauze "Maybe I ought-a claw her up see how she likes it!"
"Bloodthirsty this morning aren't we," the Joker laughs "Seriously though get over here I'm bleeding on the new sheets."
"If you start talking thread counts I'm gonna puke." Harley grabs her cell phone off the nightstand and gets back in bed with the gauze. She carefully dabs at the blood dripping from the Joker's infidelity scratches and checks her phone at the same time. "That's weird Pammy's been trying to call me." Harley checks her text messages next and nearly drops the phone in shock.
From: Pammy Pants
Message: U R not safe
Dont trust Cat
Bat coming 4 J
Save Urself
3 3 3 Pam-a-Lamb
Ivy always used perfect grammar her text messages were no exception so Harley would have dismissed the text if it wasn't for the signature. Harley was the only one that called Ivy Pam-a-Lamb not even Selina knew about that nickname. Ivy must have written it under duress and sent it as quickly as possible.
Because that's exactly how it went down. While Batman and Ivy waited for Nightwing to return with John Constantine the Bat had Ivy place a call to Harley about the Cat's location. Harley didn't answer the phone and Batman didn't want Ivy to leave a message in case the Joker got a hold of Harley's phone. Ivy couldn't let Harley carry on blindly so she sent that text and got a scolding from Batman. They weren't expecting Harley to text back.
From: Harley Crazy Pants Quinn
Message: Too late the Cat is here
why can't I trust her?
Poison Ivy wanted to call Harley and tell her everything but Batman forbade it. Today was the day Gotham would be freed from the Joker's reign of terror. Batman didn't just bring in magical help, he called in the cavalry. Amanda Waller had agreed to send in soldiers to combat the Joker's militia. Batman asked two favors of Amanda Waller that day leaving the Bat in her debt. Nightwing and John arrive at Ivy's mansion about ten minutes before a chopper from Belle Reve lands on Ivy's grass.
"Everyone is going to know where I live now thanks for nothing." Ivy stands on the front porch with Constantine and the two Bats.
"Everyone already knows where you live." Nightwing quips back.
Rick Flag and Katana hop out of the chopper and stride up to the porch.
"You called in the Asshat Brigade brilliant." Constantine says to Batman.
"What's the matter Johnny you're not happy to see your old team?" Flag looks at Katana and sees she's almost smiling.
"We were a team for five bloody minutes," Constantine leans on the railing "More like a squad really."
"Enough," Batman thunders "Did you bring it?"
"Of course," Flag signals for Katana to fetch something from the chopper "Where is she?"
"Follow me." Batman waits while Katana grabs a metal case out of the chopper. Once she's got it Flag and Katana follow Batman around the back to Ivy's greenhouse. Batman leads them to Rabbit's resting place and Katana immediately opens the case. It was full of the Samsara serum that Waller used to resurrect the Riddler. White Rabbit had been pumped full of it before her first mission but she needed a supply if she was going to stay in Gotham. That was why she didn't pass out from the pain after her fall the serum was already healing her very slowly. Flag shakes his head in dismay and crosses himself.
"Dear God she must be in agony," Flag shudders at the thought "Katana will get her fixed up."
"Where are the soldiers Waller promised me?" Batman watches as Katana administers more of the serum.
"Positioned in strategic points around Gotham waiting for our signal." Flag answers him.
"Good," Batman heads for the exit "It's time to make our first move."
Jonny Frost takes Catwoman down to his apartment on the floor below the penthouse. She was nodding in and out of consciousness like a heroin user but as time wore on she grew more lucid. He carefully cleans and sterilizes the self-inflicted scratches, feeling sick to his stomach at what had become of the Cat. The Joker had a way of corrupting the soul, Jonny knew that better than anyone. That was why he still hadn't asked that pretty valet from the Iceberg, Shelley out on a date. Jonny didn't think his employer would like it if he fell in love. Being a bodyguard to the Joker was akin to having a homocidal teenager. If Jonny didn't keep tabs on his boss at all times he might blow up a building or burn down an orphanage. Frost's heart was just as black as the Joker's and that was why he was afraid to bring a woman around. All Jonny needed was a repeat of the Anna Maroni incident.
"Who is she?" Selina asks.
"Who?" Jonny deflects as he winds bandages over Selina's scratches.
"The woman you're thinking about," Selina holds out her other arm for Jonny "Don't bullshit a bullshitter."
"Her name is Shelley." Jonny says evenly as he tapes up the other arm.
"Red hair blue eyes beautiful smile?" Selina describes her perfectly.
"You know her?" Jonny finishes with the tape and starts making coffee.
"From back in the day we waitressed at the same joint," Selina looks at her arms and cringes "Pretty sure I saw her at the Iceberg." Selina suddenly starts to sob hysterically. Jonny comes over and kneels in front of her, pulling her sleeves down over the bandages.
"There like it never happened." Frost attempts to soothe the Cat. Selina shakes her head and carries on crying.
"I feel so low Jonny," the Cat confides in Frost "Ever since I came back I feel so dirty and low like I'm nothing."
The Joker had told Frost all about his romp with the Cat, no wonder Selina was coming apart.
"You're Catwoman," Jonny tilts her face to look him in the eye "You came back from the dead if that ain't special nothing is."
Selina laughs a little then Frost's phone starts going off. The Joker wanted Selina and Frost upstairs immediately. Ivy's message had tipped Harley off, the Cat was not to be trusted and Harley had to know why. She doesn't have to wait long for her answer. Harley can tell Selina is high the moment she comes into the penthouse. Harley feels her heart break as the truth settles in. There were no peace negotiations because the Joker didn't negotiate, he took whatever he wanted. Harley knew in her soul that the love of her life had dosed her friend with the Drug to make her compliant and keep her on their side. All for the same reason Harley had ordered Selina's death, so the Joker had an Ace up his sleeve when Batman came calling. Harley didn't know how deeply this betrayal truly ran.
"How could you?" Harley turns to the Joker. Selina was curled up on the couch nodding in and out, still high as a kite.
"I just wanted you to be happy Harl," the Joker lies "You were so sad your friends weren't with you."
"Liar," Harley shrieks "This is about Batman it's always about Batman!"
"Guys," Frost was standing by a window "The Batmobile just rolled up!"
"He's here for me," Selina becomes more alert "Please don't let him take me I don't want to detox!"
The Batmobile was just a distraction. Nightwing was behind the wheel with Flag as a passenger. They had dropped Batman and Constantine around the back of the building to enter on foot. The villains in the penthouse trip over each other arming themselves for the oncoming assault. It was far too late for that, Batman and Constantine had grappled their way up the elevator shaft. Batman uses an explosive to blow the elevator door open and once the smoke clears he enters the Joker's lair with Constantine. The penthouse appears empty at first and the two men split up. Catwoman is the first to appear, she springs out at Constantine when he checks a spare bedroom. Batman comes running into the fray and pins Selina to a wall.
"This isn't you," Batman yells "Wake up Selina the Joker is using you!"
"Are you jealous," Selina tries to slash at his face "Good at least this time it's justified!"
Harley was creeping up behind Batman with her bat ready to swing but she pauses when she hears Selina.
"What are you saying?" Batman shakes her.
"A lady never tells." Selina kicks him with all of her might and sends Batman to his knees. She looks up and sees Harley standing there openmouthed.
"You backstabbing bitch," Harley swings the bat at Selina "Playing the victim when clearly you wanted to take my man!"
"Harley it's not like that," Selina ducks as Harley swings the bat again "It just happened!"
"My bat is just going to happen to smash your lying face!" Harley comes at Selina with no mercy and the two lock in a full-on cat fight. Hair is pulled, slaps are exchanged. Batman wants to break up the fight but Constantine stops him. This was the perfect time to confront the Joker. John and Bruce leave the girls to tear each other apart and come back in to the main room. Jonny Frost is standing in front of the armory door with a gun in each hand.
"Drop it before I make you drop it." Bruce growls. Constantine waves a hand and sends Jonny flying. At last the Joker pops up from behind the kitchen counter with a machine gun and starts firing on the Bat. John and Bruce drop until he has to stop firing to reload, then they make their move. Batman comes over the counter at the Joker and pins him to the floor.
"Batsy this is all so pointless," the Joker laughs "My men will be here any second."
"That's what we wanted jackass," Constantine stands next to Batman "Hold him steady now!"
Batman holds the Joker down as Constantine chants a spell that literally rips the tattoo from the Joker's skin. The Clown Prince screams in agony and manages to punch Batman in the teeth.
"Selina was sensational," the Joker keeps swinging "I don't need that tattoo to rule Gotham!"
"I'll wager you need your men," Constantine pulls out his phone and makes a call "Send in the cavalry Flag."
The Joker had summoned all of his militia when the Batmobile was spotted, putting all of his men in one place. Batman drags the Joker over to a window and forces him to watch as Flag's men flood Gotham. In a matter of a few hours the military reinforcements take back control of the city. The soldiers load up the Joker's men and take them to Blackgate. The cops that had sided with the Joker out of fear are out in the street celebrating. Commissioner Gordon comes for the Joker personally with a company of his men. There was an ambulance waiting in the garage to take the Joker to Arkham. Jonny Frost had slipped away during the tattoo removal and Selina was in handcuffs in the Batmobile with Nightwing watching over her. Only Harley stayed by her Puddin's side. Batman let the Clowns have a moment together, then it was time for the Joker to pay for his crimes. Commissioner Gordon slaps a set of handcuffs on the Joker and reads him his rights.
"You going to give us any trouble taking him Miss Quinzel?" Gordon asks her.
"Come on Harl this is the part where we kill everyone and escape!" the Joker cackles.
"No," Harley drops her bat on the floor "Take him."
Author's note: I hate to end the chapter there but so much happened I have to cut it. Don't panic this is not the final chapter. There was a lot of controversy about Joker & the Cat hooking up so I wanted to delve into the psyche of an addict to show it wasn't a love thing. Sometimes an addict will do something awful to take their mind off of the last bad thing they did and it just snowballs from there. Plus it was a great setup for serious drama more about that in the next chapter. Love how no one spoke up about whether or not Rabbit should live lol you guys are cold. Thanks so much for reading please review and ask lots of questions. I know the final leg was very abrupt you'll get all the nice character moments in the next chapter. Arkham is not the end ;)