Chapter 12: Not Too Far Behind

It was morning in Arendelle, and the Frozen Cast all sat down at the table for breakfast. "Guys, I'm really worried about Jacob. He's really not himself lately.", Elsa said in a worried tone. "Yeah, I notice that too. And he didn't say anything to you about anything?", Anna said and then asked. "No. He claims everything is fine, but I have a feeling he's not telling the truth.", Elsa said. "Well, what would he be hiding?", Kristoff asked. "I don't know, but whatever it is, it's nothing good.", Elsa said. Jacob then entered the room all dressed up already. "Hey, hun. You want some breakfast?", Elsa asked. "I'm not hungry, but thanks.", he answered. "Where are you going?", Sven asked. "I gotta go to Gotham to do some shit. I'll be back later. See yas.", Jacob said as he left the room. "Yeah, now I see what you mean, Elsa. Jake normally wouldn't just be out of here that quick and show so little emotion, especially without kissing you.", Kristoff said. "I'll talk to him when he gets back. I have to know what's going on.", Elsa said. Meanwhile in the Batcave, Bruce was talking to Oracle on the computer screen. "So, no leads on Ivy so far?", Oracle asked. "Not yet. I have to find her soon. It won't be long before she uses the formula on her plants so that they grow big enough to destroy Gotham. And I really believe Elsa's ice powers would be extremely beneficial in taking down the plants.", he said. "I'm sure it'll all work out. It always does.", Oracle said. "And you haven't been able to find Freeze after Nora died?", he asked. "So far, no. He just disappeared without a trace. Do you think he'll change or no?", she said. "Nora was his purpose for everything wrong he did. Now, that she's gone, I don't think he'll harm anyone else. Especially since they ended on good terms. I just want to keep an eye on him regardless.", Batman said. Then a notification popped up on the screen. It was saying that Jacob was back in Gotham due to the tracker that was placed on him due to Bruce's suspicions. "I'll talk to you later, Barbara. I gotta go.", Bruce said. "Why? What's up?", she asked. "I think I might have a lead on Ivy.", he said. "Oh, good. Keep me updated. Oracle out.", Barbara said and went off. Bruce then left to pursue Jacob. Later on, Jacob stopped at a malt shop in Park Row to get a milkshake. He didn't really have anything to do in the city like he said, he really just needed to get out and clear his head from what's been going on with him. He was currently sipping on his mint chocolate chip milkshake at the bar. "Can I get you anything else, pal?", the waiter asked. "No, I'm good.", he answered. The waiter then looked over and saw a bum sleeping on his table when he barely touched his vanilla shake. "I tell ya, I really cannot stand bums like that.", the waiter said. Jacob looked at the bum too and went back to drinking his shake. Meanwhile, Ivy was putting together more pieces of her master plan together with her plants watching in anticipation. "Tomorrow night, Gotham will be ours, my loves. Man will finally pay for destroying the plants that once bloomed where this hellhole now stands.", Ivy said. Her plants seemed pleased to hear this. Ivy felt like she should share this news with her new henchman, so she concentrated hard and used the Green on a basket of flowers in the malt shop where Jacob currently was. "Jacob, it's me Ivy. You're one true love.", Ivy said. Jacob then snapped back into his trance and heard Ivy calling him. "Yes, Ivy. What is it?", he asked. "Our plan is finally coming to fruition. I need you here to discuss it more with you.", she said. "I'm on my way now.", Jacob said. "Please don't take long. I miss you.", Ivy cooed. "I miss you too.", he said. Jacob then left money on the counter and said to the waiter, "Thanks. Keep the change.". "No problem.", the waiter said. Before he walked out, the bum woke up and grabbed Jacob's shoulder. "Be careful out there, man! This city has lots of crazy people", he said in a hippie-like voice. "Get the hell off of me!", Jacob said in an impatient tone and left. The waiter went over to the bum and said, "Alright! Get the hell outta my place! I don't need a creep like you scaring away my customers! Out!". After the bum was kicked out, he saw Jacob walk down the street. He then removed his hat and fake beard revealing that it was really Bruce Wayne in one of his disguises and was about to follow his friend. He then got a call on his phone and he answered it. "Not now, Alfred. I'm following Jacob.", Bruce said quietly. "Sorry, Master Bruce. Do you really believe Poison Ivy got Jacob under her control somehow?", Alfred asked. "I just have a hunch. But I hope I'm wrong. I'll talk to you later.", Bruce said and then hung up. He then slowly followed him from behind. When Jacob got to Ivy's lair, she seemed glad to see him. "Thank you so much for coming.", she said. "No problem. What do you need?", he asked. Tomorrow night will be the night that flora will finally have her second chance in this miserable wasteland of a city. And I'm going to need you there to help me out.", Ivy said. "Of course. And you mean use the formula on your plants?", he asked. "Yes. Seeing as how well that did them at the asylum, it'll do even better in the city.", she said. Jacob looked around at the plants taking in a sort of admiration and wonder at her animalistic plants. "I never knew your plants could be so beautiful.", he said. "I'm glad you view them that way, and...you have something on your back.", Ivy said as she noticed something small and black on him. "What?", he asked. Ivy saw it was in the shape of a bat and said, "Wait a minute.". She picked it up and observed the small tracker. "Looks like your mentor is not too far behind us.", she said as she showed him the tracker. "That bastard! I swear Ivy I had no idea he was tracking me.", Jacob said. "I know. But you see now that this is proof he doesn't trust you. You looked up to him and he follows you around like a stalker.", Ivy said. "Agreed. He doesn't trust anyone, but himself.", he said angrily. "He's most likely close. I need to move the TITAN further underground. When I need you again, I'll let you know.", she said. Her plants then grabbed the crates and burrowed underground with them. Before she left, she blew him a kiss and he caught it. Outside, Batman parked the Batmobile right outside the hotel. "This is where Jacob's tracker is. Looks like Ivy is still at the hotel where she secluded herself when all of this was Arkham City.", Batman said. "And as I recall from what Ms. Kyle told you, she had a nearly fatal standoff with Ivy here.", Alfred said. "Yes. That's what she told me.", Batman said. "And so, you haven't seen her at all since that encounter with Riddler?", Alfred asked. "No, I haven't. But that's not what's important right now.", Batman said. Batman then felt the ground shake through his car. "Sir, the Batmobile is picking up seismic activity in the area.", Alfred said. "That can't be anything good. Talk to you later.", Batman said. Batman got out of the car and grappled up onto the hotel entrance. He kicked the door open and walked into a completely overgrown room with only Jacob and huge hole. Jacob turned around and became angry with who he saw. "You son of a bitch! You followed me here! You put a damn tracker on me behind my back!", Jacob yelled. "Jacob, I had to in order to find Ivy. She's got you under her spell and I'm going to get you out of it. But you need to tell me where she's going.", Batman said. "She's doing the city a favor by giving it back to Mother Nature and you won't be able to stop her! I won't let you!", Jacob said getting up in Batman's face. "Jacob, snap out of it!", Batman said as he slapped Jacob across the face. Jacob then woke back up from his trance and looked confused. "What just happened?", he said to himself. He then looked surprised as to who was in front of him. "Bruce! Where am I?", he asked. "You're in Ivy's hideout. She got you under her control and you sort of just aided in her escape from here.", he said. Jacob then looked shocked to hear this. "Oh, shit! Wait a minute, I do remember running into her the other night and she tried stuff on me.", he said. "It's alright. It's not your fault. You were brainwashed. Do you recall anything else? Like maybe where she went with the TITAN? We have to find her before she spreads her TITAN powered plants all over the city.", Batman said. "I honestly don't know where she could be.", he said. "Alright, but we gotta get you back to Elsa first. Come on.", Batman said as they left the building. In Arendelle, the Frozen Gang were all sitting down in the living room waiting for Jacob to come back. "You know I prefer to talk to him on my own. He's my boyfriend after all.", Elsa said. "I know, but we all care about him too.", Anna said. "I just want to make sure everything's alright with him too. I think it's fair that we should all be here for him.", Olaf said. Both Batman and Jacob entered the room where the others were. "What are you doing here? What's going on?", Elsa asked. "Guys, I have bad news. Poison Ivy has got Jacob under her control and he's using him to get what she wants with having her TITAN powered plants run rampant in Gotham.", Batman explained. They all looked shocked and terrified to hear this. "Oh, God! What are we gonna do?", Elsa asked looking extremely worried. "I don't know yet.", Batman said. Jacob went over to his girlfriend and told her, "Elsa, believe me, I had no memory of her having control of me until just now.", Jacob told her. "It's okay. It's not your fault.", Elsa said. "We have to find her now!", Elsa said. "Do you have any idea where she might be?", Kristoff asked. "I don't know. Somewhere underground definitely.", Batman said. He then thought for a moment and knew someone who might know of a secret hideout of Ivy's. "Although, I think I know someone who might know.", he said. "Really? Who?", Sven asked. "There's only been one person that Ivy has ever been close to in all of Gotham. Maybe we can get her to help us.", Batman said. "Who are you talking about?", Jacob asked. Batman then looked at Jacob for a second and Jacob then knew exactly who he was referring to. "No! Don't go knocking on her door! She thinks you killed her boyfriend, even though you didn't, remember?", Jacob warned. "She might give us an idea on where Ivy took the crates.", Batman said. "I'm just saying she's gonna try to kill you again if she sees you. I know you told me that she almost did a couple weeks after Arkham City.", Jacob said. The Frozen Gang all looked confused. "Who exactly are you guys talking about?", Anna asked. "Come with us and you'll see.", Batman said.