Terry looks at his face in the mirror, trying to see just how bad Big Man hit him in the face. No good, his right cheek hurts bad. He can already feel it starting to swell. In a few hours, the bruise will become visible and obvious to all. This is not going to be good.
He's now thinking of how he is going to explain this one to Dana. What about in the morning? How will his mother take this one?
You got careless, someone behind him spoke.
It was Bruce Wayne. Mentor, friend and former Batman. They are in the Batcave.
I'm going to see Dana tonight and I still haven't figured out how to explain this to her. How did you ever get away with this in your day? asked Terry.
I'm rich and I live alone, simply said Bruce. I thought she knows that you usually get into lots of fights.
Yeah but at least I have the Jokerz or some other gang to blame it on and I did promise her that I would stop getting into fights. At least I didn't lose any teeth.
Like I said, you got careless. You better get yourself into more training if you want to survive. I won't be around forever you know.
Gotcha. Look, I gotta get going or I'll be late.
Not so fast! I have a really good feeling we will be getting into something big really soon, Bruce gestures Terry to follow him to the Bat Computer.
When has it ever been only a good feeling to you? remarked Terry.
They head to the Bat Computer, Bruce pushes a few keys and replays the news on TV regarding the situation in Brazil.
So why don't the JLU do something about this? Looks like it's more of their turf, remarked Terry.
The JLU is in a situation of their own. It's up to us to do something about this.
Wait a minute. I've worked long enough with you to know that something more is up. What's your big interest in this? What's with this Poison Ivy gang?
First of all, the media got their story mixed up. There is no group. There is only one person and for the most part of her career, she had worked alone.
So, you know this woman? When was the last time you met up with her?
Shut up and I'll finish, Bruce pushes some more keys and a picture and profile of his old enemy is put on display on the screen, Her name is Pamela Isley, better known as Poison Ivy. Her MO always involved plants. Her crimes include avenging extinct plant species. She poisoned and nearly killed a friend of mine for authorizing a construction that would have destroyed the last remaining specie of a flower that practically nobody has ever heard about. Sometime partner of Harley Quinn, the Joker's moll. When she died, Ivy moved on with her crusade. She later joined an eco-terrorist group but later splitted ways. I encountered and dealt with her a few more times and she pretty well disappeared.
Hmm, you seem to have a hard time describing what crimes she committed. Other than that thing about your friend.
She's a lunatic who killed, stole and endangered people's lives. That's more than enough reason for me to put her behind bars.
So we're going to Brazil then? Terry asked.
Fortunately, we have an excuse. WayneTech made significant investments in the territory, not least of which we are a major contributor to the research being done in the Amazon. The research station, which is part of it, is where that big pod of a plant is sitting on now, Bruce smirked.
You have an excuse, I don't, remarked Terry, There's no way my Mom is going to let me go there!
Don't worry, I'll take care of that.
***
The Fritz. One of Gotham's classier restaurants, more fitting for the romantic types and with deep pockets. Dana was miffed the last time that Terry didn't show up for their last date. He hopes that bringing her here would help him score some much needed points for forgiveness. She's already at their table sitting, waiting for him. The guilt of how he has treated her still lingers in him.
Whatever she's going to say, whatever's coming, I really deserve it he thought.
There she is, wearing a beautiful sleeveless black dress and a pouty face. He looks at his watch, closes his eyes and prepares for the worst. Here goes nothing.
Oh, here you are Terry. Oh, look. You're only sixteen minutes late. That's a big, big improvement, she said with mock expression.
Ouch.
Umm, look, I brought you something, he hands her a bouquet of red roses. Lame, Terry, lame.
Oh, look! You even brought me flowers! continued Dana with mock delight.
Hey! Will you cut it out? I'm really sorry for standing you up the last couple of dates and I really, really do want to make it up to you.
Well, I still can't believe you talked me into giving you another chance. I was just ready to call it three strikes.
Actually, she understands very well that Terry needed his job at Wayne's to support his family. His earnings contribute much to his family's well being. He reminds her of her father who loves his family but also works too much. She shrugs off her thought and hope she's not having a father complex.
What she can't understand is why Wayne has such a strong hold over Terry. One call, one beep, one ring and he's off to his employer with nary an explanation why the rush. She hopes they don't have anything kinky going on. She pushes aside the disgusting thought. She decided that if he does run one more time she is calling it quits.
Hey, Dana, is something wrong? asked a concerned Terry after he took his seat.
Oh, it's nothing. It's nothing, was her reply.
After making their orders, Terry decided that now is really the time to get into a serious talk with Dana. He had bailed out of graduation rites and also on their prom because a villain of the week just had to ruin everything. Being Batman and feeling its drawbacks is beginning to get to him. Now that they're entering college the next school year, they're going to see a lot less of each other. Is that a blessing? No more excuses, no more lying? Or another curse of the Batman? No loved ones to care about?
No! He won't let his life run parallel with Bruce's. He may be the Batman now but he won't live a life of misery as his mentor did. He will
My father wants me to go to Metropolis University, Dana broke the long silence between them; He said it's a much safer city and that there isn't anything in Gotham for me.
Terry is stunned.
I thought you're also going to the University of Gotham. With me, Terry could only utter.
Terry, we hardly see each other any more. Why should you care now? Dana asked. A tear is starting to form in her eye.
Because I choked Terry. It just didn't seem right, care about you. Damn.
See? That's what I mean. Our relationship can't and Dana finally noticed when she looked at his face. His forehead frowning, a deep concern. His eyes looking streamy like he wants to say something . His mouth, its ends pointing down showing his sadness. His cheeks his right cheek
What the hell happened to you? Did you get into another fight again?! Dana fumed.
Oh, no! I thought she didn't notice! Terry panicked.
Umm, actually, it was an accident. Some kids were throwing stuff at each other and one of them hit me with a brick.
Did she buy it? Cross your fingers.
You are such a poor liar. I'll just pretend I never saw that bruise, Dana told him.
Whew! I'm glad I don't have to deal with this.
Alas, he notices that Dana was really annoyed. What to do? He lied to her again. She's probably thinking this is the last straw. And it's his entire fault.
With great sadness in her eyes, she looks straight into his, Terry, I think we should stop seeing each other.
Is there any way to salvage the situation? He knew it to be his fault. He couldn't let her in on his secret. It was too great and Bruce wouldn't allow it. What is their relationship now? Whatever was left of it, the last couple of weeks did it in. Maybe it's time to make a decision. Maybe it's time he let her go.
No, I don't want to!
Dana, please, don't. Not now. I give me another chance. There's a lot of confusing stuff going on in my life right at this time, Terry begged,
If you're talking about you and your boss, Wayne, I don't think it's amusing.
I just need to fix some things. That's all. Just give me one last chance, that's all I'm asking. Just a chance for me to fix some things. I'm going to be in Brazil for a week. When I come back, I'll sort everything. It'll be okay again. I promise, Terry pleaded.
Brazil? There's some trouble going on in there. Why would you go to Brazil? I don't know what it is but I just heard on the radio...
I'm just going to accompany Bruce, make sure he's all right. He's got some properties there to take care off. That's all. I swear! Terry holds her hand and squeezes tightly.
If I mess up one more time you don't have to see me for the rest of the summer.
Just one more chance. Will it make any difference she wonders? Probably not. Should she say no now or prolong the agony? She still feels something for him. Maybe
***
It's a full moon that night.
Six Brazilian Rangers make their way through the thick creeps. Three squads already disappeared making a reconnaissance of the area surrounding the giant plant pod. If they disappear, the Brazilian Armed Forces will consider the pod a threat and engage in hostile action.
The squad commander hopes this does not have to happen. If there is going to be any action, it would severely affect the forest even more. More trees would have to be chopped down to make way for armored vehicles. His grandfather had told him of a time when the Amazon was much bigger and lush than it is now. He tries to imagine canopies all around. Birds, insects, spiders decorated all around. Now, there is only absolute silence.
He could only sigh at the Amazon's situation. What a shame.
Then he heard a scream.
His pointman is being enveloped by vines and leaves and is being lifted into the air. He tried to use his knife to free himself but the more he struggled the tighter the creeps held on to him. So the squad commander used his laser rifle and shoots at the creeps holding his pointman. He is free at last.
More screams followed. The rest of his men have also been attacked by the creeper vines. It was a hopeless situation. They were trained to expect the unexpected but they weren't trained for this kind of unexpected situation. The squad commander could only helplessly watch his men be buried in the creeper vines.
Now, it was his turn. A vine grabbed his right leg and pulls him up. He is being held upside down. His gear falls out of his pockets and holders. More vines cover his body. He tried to struggle free but they had incredible strength. Soon, he became exhausted and the vines are wrapping around every inch of his body.
Before the vines could completely cover his face see some light coming from under the pod. A beautiful red-haired woman comes out. The vines don't attack her. She makes some hand gestures and they stay away from her.
She inspects the latest catch. She notices him and comes closer. He wonders if she is behind this. He can smell the scent of fresh roses. It seems to be coming from her. She looks into his eyes. Her eyes were like wildfire. She clamps her hand around his jaw.
You hurt my precious darlings. For that, I ought to have them kill you, she tells him, But I have need of your services. Any of this world's so-called heroes are soon coming after me. In fact, I'm expecting a special someone very soon.
She takes out some red powder from her pouch on her belt. Her hand filled with the powder she places it in front of her mouth and she blows in to the squad commander's face. He tried not to breathe in the powder but it was too late.
He felt a burning sensation in his eyes and in his temples. As quick as the pain came in, it was gone. He felt light headed. He can see her face. She looks so beautiful. He feels a wanting in his heart. He is in love.
The creeper vines loosened their hold on him. He falls to the ground. He tries to get up but he sees her again. He bows to her.
In his native tongue, he says to her, I am yours, Goddess!
She looks down on him and smiles at her handiwork. A goddess he said. Maybe she is.