*Chapter 13: Croc's Lair*

"Mia, stay here. I'm going in alone to collect the spores." Batman told her. Mia remained by the entrance of the lair. Batman contacted Oracle to send him the schematics since the sewer is like a maze. He placed a device on the pipe and got out the explosive gel and spray it on the ground.

"Are you sure about this? This is suicide." Mia spoke.

"I've got no choice. I have to gather the spores to create the Anti-Venom." Batman told her after he finishes making a trap.

"What about Croc?" Oracle asked.

"Croc's just an animal." Batman told his partner. "And animals just need traps and the right bait. I'll be fine." He turned back to Mia. "I'll contact you both when I'm done." Mia held his hand to squeeze it.

"Be very careful." She said. The Dark Knight gave her a small smile, telling her not to worry. He walked towards the path to walk on the planks. But he had to move slowly. Croc will attack. "Where's Robin when you need him?" Mia sighed to herself. She hears Barbara chuckle.

"You know what Bruce would say if Robin is brought up. He will say he will handle all of this on his own."

"But tonight...it's different." Mia said. "I...I should be home and...oh, but I can't let him do this by himself. If Joker hadn't plan this..."

"Mia, I thought you would get used to it after two years. Bruce has been doing this for years and he will survive this too. You two will get out of Arkham okay. Believe me. I've been through worse..." Oracle said. Mia could imagine the face she is making. Poor Barbara is stuck in a wheelchair thanks to Joker. At least she helps Batman with everything. Mia sat on the ground, leaning her back against the cold wall, waiting for Batman to return unharmed.

XX

Batman had been throwing his batarangs at Croc's collar to stop him from attacking. He had collected four spores already, but need to find another. One more should do it. Croc's growls are around him in the sewers. He uses his line launcher to get across the other planks Croc destroyed. He easily avoids the big hand of Croc coming out of the water.

"You still alive?" Mia's voice asked from the ear comm.

"All in one piece. How are you holding up?" Batman asked, slowly walking on the planks looking for another plant.

"Tired. Irritated. And hungry." Mia replied. Batman couldn't help but to smirk at the last part. It has been hours already. It's already past three in a morning. He will have to take her out on a dinner date one of these days. Mia deserves better than this.
He finally found another plant and gather the spores. Once the tube is filled, Batman uses the gadget he placed from the entrance to find a way back.

"We need to get back to the Batcave and formulate the antidote." He said.

"Oh, I get it. You've activated a sonar beacon down there. Clever!" Oracle spoke.

"I'm getting out of here." Batman said, walking on the planks to get to an exit.

"Hold on, what about Croc?" Mia asked.

"He won't be a problem. Just stay where you are. I'm coming back." Batman uses his line launcher to get across faster. But as he landed on one plank, Croc popped out from behind.

"There you are!" He growled. Batman threw his batarang at the collar and ran. Croc destroys the planks behind him. "You can't run from me!" Croc roared.
Batman turned and found the exit where Mia should be waiting. There she was, watching in horror. Croc popped out and snarled at them both. Mia was told to get away, but as soon as she get, the gate came down to trap Batman with Croc.

"No!" Mia cried. Batman turned around and pull out his detonator.

"My caves will be your tomb!" Croc growled as he ran towards the Dark Knight.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god." Mia repeated, shutting her eyes. She can't watch this. Batman pressed a button and blew up a path under Croc's feet, sending him sprawling through the floor. Croc let out a roar as he fell. Batman lifted the gate as Mia helped. "Fuck, Bruce." Mia sighed in relief as Batman rolled under the gate.

"I will find you!" Croc roared throughout the caves. Mia hugs her hero.

"Come on, we have to make the antidote." Batman told her. The good news is that the Batcave is close. And Mia will be able to see this one on the island.

"You always have a backup for everything, huh?" Mia asked.

"For situations like this, yes." Batman replied. "Don't expect much. It's not like my main cave."

In the Batcave, both Batman and Mia are making the cure. They are close to done, but it is very difficult. The process is slow. But the good news the chemicals will stop Ivy and will reverse the Titan transformation. Batman set his computer to create more Anti-Venom, but he and Mia will have to get out and find Ivy.

"Thank god. Her plants have reached Gotham River." Oracle spoke.

"Well, that was quick." Mia scoffed. Suddenly, the vines shove through the cave, and rocks fall. "Oh shit." Mia gasped. Batman pulled her away from the plants as they crash through the computers and everything else in the Batcave. "Bruce!" Mia cried out as Batman held her close to him as they got close to the edge. Oracle cried out for them after hearing the sounds from the comm.

"We're fine." Batman told his partner.

"Now what?" Mia asked, looking around the cave with Ivy's plants. Batman put together the new batclaw. Like he always said: There's always a way out. They will have to climb and glide. The gliding is the part Mia isn't a fan of. But anything to leave this place.