*Chapter 14: Stop Ivy/Speak with Joker*

Things are getting worse when Batman and Mia traveled through the sewer and notice the green water. Joker was going to poison Gotham. The only way to stop it is to shut off the Titan system. Joker is slowing them down. Once Batman and Mia shut off the system, they can finally go to Ivy to stop her plants. Mia had a feeling she and Batman are getting close of ending this night. Joker will be stopped. And this nightmare will be over.
As they are on their way to the Botanical Gardens, Batman had to put his foot down by making Mia stay away. Ivy could kill her easily. Like last year, she almost did. Mia held his hands tightly.

"For now, this is my stop. You go stop her and do your thing. You better come back out alive." Mia told him.

"I trust you can find yourself a safe place in the mansion." Batman said. Mia is silent. That isn't part of the plan. "Mia?"

"Batman, I'm going after Joker." She said. "Let me speak to him."

"Mia, don't! He will-"

"He won't kill me. He wanted us alive, remember? He needs me alive." Mia said with a serious look. "For once, let me do this. I have a kid waiting back home. Plus, I need to know where the commissioner is held. Joker's men took us back here." She got out a gun. "I need you to trust me. Please. For once." Batman is silent, staring at her. He didn't like this idea. Not for one bit. Then again, she had been helping him through some parts. Joker never tried to kill her. The Dark Knight sighed heavily.

"I do trust you. But I don't want to lose you." He said. "Try and keep him talking. After Ivy is dealt with, I'm coming for him." Mia gave him a quick kiss on the lips and told him to be careful. They both split up. Batman entered the gardens as Mia walked through the doors to get to the center where Joker is hiding.

Mia looked up at the building with Joker's face on it. The Visitor Center. Joker's goons didn't try to attack her or shoot her since she is on the party list. Mia was allowed to enter the building to speak with Joker. She kept a determined look as she entered the hall with the inmates staring at her. Some whistled at her.

"Hellooooo nurse!"

"If it ain't Bruce's babe!"

"You should've gone out with me instead of that rich boy!"

"Joker will be pleased to see you, nurse!" It goes on and on, but Mia ignored them. She pushed the door open to enter the room.
Ahead of her is the Joker himself. He grinned at her behind the glass. A chair is in front. Mia sat on it and stare at the Clown Prince of Crime. She thought he'd be disappointed that Batman isn't with her, but he isn't.

"So, you wanted to talk? Well good! I wanted to talk too!" Joker spoke. "Having fun tonight, Harlow? You look exhausted too. Wish your son is here, but...no kids allowed." He giggled.

"Where is Commissioner Gordon?" Mia asked. "What have you done to him?"

"Oh, he's alive. I assure you, my dear." Joker replied, his legs crossed. "Sorry for not letting you leave, but...I don't want you to leave just yet. You are on the list. You will love the surprise I have for Bats."

"Joker, it's over for you. Your plans are ruined." Mia said. "As soon as Ivy is stopped-"

"Batman will come and stop me, blah blah blah!" Joker said, rolling his green eyes. "God, I hate doing the bad guy speech, so I am skipping that." Mia sighed in annoyance. But she will have to keep him talking.

XX

"I told you to go to your cell." Batman said with a look. Ivy glared at him.

"I was a fool." She said, glancing over at her plants. "I thought the plants were in pain. Now I realize they were evolving, growing stronger!" As she spoke, more vines burst out of the ground. Ivy was lifted in the air by the plants, behind her is a huge plant. Like the smaller pods throughout the island, it opened up behind her. "And now we'll grow together!" The plant seemed to eat her, pulling her into a cocoon to protect her inside the mouth. "Give in to a more powerful force, Batman!" Ivy said. She controls the plant to attack Batman with vines and use the Arkham security guards to fight him. Batman will have to find a way to fight this plant.

'Thank god Mia isn't here with me. She wouldn't stand a chance. I hope she had better luck with Joker.' He thought as he avoids the vines. Ivy chuckled at him.

XX

"How come you never wanted to kill me?" Mia asked. "You wanted me alive tonight."

"You are so much fun!" Joker chirped. "Sure, Batman is fun to have around, but sometimes I get bored of him. I did try to kill him a couple times, sure, but...what would I do without him? Rob banks or kill people I always do. No, no, no. He complete me."

"Complete you?"

"Does he complete you? You've known him for like...how long was it? Two years?" Joker wondered. "Time sure does fly. I remember like it was yesterday when we first met here, don't you? So tell me something, Harlow. How are you and Bruce doing together?"

"That's none of your business, Joker. And you keep changing the subject." Mia said. Joker groaned at her. "Start talking. Where is Jim Gordon?" The sound of the alarm clock is heard. Joker stood up.

"Ooh! I'm sorry, my dear. I'm afraid our time is up for now. And...you get to stick around for the party! Boys, get the fireworks ready!" He said, disappearing to the right. Mia got on her feet and hit the glass, calling out the Joker to come back.

XX

The fight with the plant was challenging, but Batman's explosive gel did the trick on the cocoon. After doing that a couple of times, the plant went crazy making Ivy scream the top of her lungs while the plant hit the windows above them. The plant smashed down to the ground before falling back into the hole it had made, taking Ivy down with it. The building began to crash around Batman. He quickly used his batclaw to get out as the building collapses. He had a feeling Ivy will be fine, but won't be happy the next time she sees him.

Sounds of fireworks caught Batman's attention. He turned to see the fireworks. The voice of Joker is heard.

"Batman! I know it's been a long, hard night, but good news. The party is about to start! We've got something for everyone! Music, dancing, chemicals that create monsters. You don't want to miss it. So get your ass over to the Cell Block, or you'll miss your final surprise! Your lady awaits." Batman is also relieved that Mia is alive. She is at the Visitor Center. Surely she must have something from Joker by then. If not, then they are both in for a surprise.