Supergirl:Beyond Crisis On Earth X Chapter 10 Of Two Minds
It was almost morning Kate Kane had not slept a wink for the first time in months she knew Pamela was safe. The weight that Kate felt lift off her shoulders was immeasurable, but at the same time she dared not sleep for fear that when she woke up Ivy would not be there and it was all an elaborate dream. Kiara and Diana let her stay as long as she needed to and that Ivy and stay in the penthouse. Kate was grateful by the generosity and understanding of the two women that she was starting to consider as good friends. Kate looked outside of the window and shw the sun starting to peak out over the horizon. Kate had a theory that because Pamela was deprived of sun for so long that she in essence started to wilt away so with prolonged exposure to the sun should get her up and going. Kate senses someone coming from behind " you need to get some sleep you know she is going to be there in a few hours, I promise." Kate turned by to see a very disheveled looking Kiara Wagner. Kate turns around and Kiara brings the other chair in the room next to the redhead. Kate looks at Pamela and starts talking " After all this I know it's just par for the course Pamela will still be Poison Ivy at heart. Ivy will never accept a relationship with me." Kiara understood all to well what Kate was going threw it was only a few weeks okay when she found a person who loved her for her overlooking the numerous atrocities she committed and accepted her, and every day she was grateful to have Diana in her life and could not imagine a world without having Diana Prince in her life and by her side. Kate on the other was not so lucky she had moved heaven and earth to get Ivy back safely. That was true love personified. Kiara turned to Kate " Kate you moved a multimillion dollar industry across the nation to National City, beat the crap out of the criminal underground, beat the crap out of Mon El and threw me across a room, as well as breaking into a secret bunker and rescuing her. If she does not go for it then maybe she is not the right one for you, but if i can give you some advice you have to tell Pamela how you feel. You and me are not too different. It's one of the reasons we get along as well as we do. So take it from me the best thing i did was tell Diana how i feel and i have not looked back since. When people think of us as Batwoman and Overgirl they think of these ruthless badasses who go out and kick people's asses in a ruthless manor, but take it from me showing vulnerability especially to the one you love does not make you any weaker it makes you stronger." Kate looked back at Pamela as Kiara got up and started walking back toward her and Diana's bedroom. As she walked away Kiara said " Now get some sleep you're going to need it so you can get your girl." Kate, still looking at Pam, said "thank you" in a low tone but obviously knew Kiara could hear it. Kate took her advice and laid down next to Pam, careful not to disturb her and fell into sleep's blissful release pondering how she breaches the subject with Pam.
A few hours later Kate woke up and to her relief Ivy was still next to her meaning that yesterday was not a dream she finally had Ivy back the question is after almost a year would she finally have the shot that she had been waiting for. Kate got up to assess Ivy's condition and it looked like her hunch was right even with the early morning rays of sun Ivy's condition seemed to be improving and her skin was started to return to its flawless luster which made her relax a bit more knowing that at this rate Ivy would be back to her original self. Kate went out to the living room to see Diana and Kiara lounging around. It made Kate smile when she say the Amazonian princess cuddle into Kiara. Diana saw this "what's so funny?" this caused Kate to chuckle even more " i never thought i would see you to be so domestic" Diana gave one of her signature eye rolls well your not one to talk if anyone here is the love sick puppy its you." This got a shrug from the redhead who sat down upset of the two lovebirds. Kate then spoke again " we need to talk about what me and Diana found in that lab." Diana knew Kate was right. The toxin they uncovered was a lethal killing machine that she had not seen since Steve was alive, and if it got out the results would be disastrous. Kiara chimed in " well i think the best course of action is to wait for Ivy to wake up. My money says she has some info on the plot or even more how to stop the toxin since it's technically part of her if her blood was one of the principal components of the toxin. Diana agreed, but Kate was a little more hesitant about the idea of interrogating Ivy. Neither of them knew what kind of state of mind she would be in however she knew it needed to be done as it was their best chance of stopping the green hand. The three got up and stood in the doorway looking at the comatose form of Poison Ivy.
It had been a few days Ivy had still not woken up, but Kate was never far away from her. Kiara and Diana had to make their appearances at the DEO but with the looming possibility of the toxin release it was getting harder and harder to keep the DEO out of the loop. It had been a full week since Diana and Kate laid waste to the underground bunker Ivy still in the same position that they left her when they brought her to the penthouse. Kate would never admit it but she was starting to lose hope that Ivy would wake up. A few hours later Kate had dozed off after looking over some reports, and was awoken by soft murmurings. To her shock Ivy was starting to stir but it seemed like Ivy was having a nightmare or more specifically a night terror and started to violently tremble. Before Kate could go to here Kate was grabbed from behind and started to be choked by the potted plant in the room. Kate struggling against the leafy green tried to reach for one of her batarangs in a futile effort considering the vice grip that the vine had on her. Kate started to lose consciousness but as she began to fade she heard someone at the balcony and before she completely lost it she felt the vines release her having fallen on the ground in fit of coughing . Kate was lifted to her feet and when the haze lifted she realized that it was Kiara that had come to her rescue, but before she could focus on herself sh immediately went to Ivy's side to try and wake the clearly distressed villiness because if this potted plant was any indication if this continued could be even worse. Kate started to shake Ivy "ivy you have to wake up it's a nightmare come on Pam" as if on cue Ivy waked up with a start sweating and breathing heavily looking around at her surroundings clearly afraid. She focused on the two figures in the room, one she did not recognize, and the other she was all too familiar. Kate was in a very unique position she spent the last few years leading a successful multimillion dollar company during the day and beating up the scum of Gotham or National city and nothing made her as nervous as this moment seeing Ivy awake for the first time made the normally cold heart bitch melt.
Kiara observed the situation and decided it would be prudent to leave the two alone as they undoubtedly had things to discuss. Now Kate and Ivy were alone for the first time in over a year. The silence between them was awkward yet deafening all at once neither wanting to make the first move as if this was a Clint Eastwood western with two gunmen waiting to draw their pistols at high noon. Ivy reluctantly spoke first, breaking the silence " What are you doing?" In textbook poison Ivy fashion she added all the annoyance and venom she could muster. This caught Kate off guard; it never surprised Kate at how callous Ivy could be but in this particular instance Kate became angry "well hello to you to Ivy" Kate said matching the say venomous tone Ivy had just employed. Kate did not allow Ivy to respond " Of all the things a simple hello Kate i have not seen you in about a year, or thanks Kate from saving me from the evil terrorist cell that held me hostage, or thanks kate for not dragging me back to Arkham Asylum. Anything else but like in typical Pamela Isley fashion you have to be the stone cold plant bitch you always are. Lest you forget Pamela i am one of the only people around that has seen the other side of you that no one else has seen not even Harley Quinn." Kate's outburst caught the villain off guard " i didn't ask you for any of that you choose to do that on your own i am more than capable of saving myself i am not some damsel in distress just to satisfy you perverse hero complex." Now Kate was outraged " How dare you. You know you're right Pamela you never asked me to do anything for I shouldn't need to be asked to do things for the person i Love." Ivy's eyes widened. Kate could feel the slight burn of unshed tears welling up in her eyes " ah that's right Pam i said Love someone in this world is capable of loving you enough that they would do anything for you. Go toe to toe with the dark knight as sidekicks defending you, giving you the benefit of the doubt after your supposed escape from Arkham when everyone from Batman to the GCPD thought you escaped, to moving my corporate headquarters across the country to National City to track you down, beating up half of the criminal underworld for any clues to where you might be, breaking into underground facilities, getting into fist fights with Kryptonians. Your right Pam, you did not tell me to do any of that. I did it because i love you fully knowing you may never return those feelings, but it never matters because i will do anything to keep you safe Pam because that's what you do when you love someone. No matter how many people tell me it's a mistake that she is just a maniacal manipulative bitch but I never wavered because I have seen the other side of you Pam like it or not because I love you." Ivy couldn't believe it the scarlet knight loved and cared for her enough to do everything she just said. Pam remembered the first time she met Kate Kane a little over a year ago at this point. Pamela had broken into the Mansion of one Kate Kane. Pamela wanted Kane to atone for her sins against plants as her company had sponsored a slash and burn outfit and Ivy wanted atonement in blood. The CEO was in her office when Ivy ambushed her using the plants in her office to capture her. Little did Ivy know this mission would not be as easy as she thought it would be, and in the end the night would go it a way that she did not expect it to. Ivy had the CEO at her mercy, but after going through her usual rant about how people like Kate and her corporation destroying mother nature and the need for punishment. What Ivy did not expect was what Kate Kane would say next. Kate told Ivy that she agreed with her that's why she shut down the operation as soon as she found out about it and fired everybody in the company involved and started a program to restore the damage that had already been done as well as preserving and protecting the environment in the future. Ivy did not believe her till Kate told Ivy to look at the Laptop she was typing on, and sure enough upon review Kate was actually telling the truth. Ivy could not believe it, and for the first time in a long time Ivy was shown that maybe not everyone was bad and felt this compulsion to release the redhead she could have very easily strangled the life out of the CEO but she didn't instead she let her go and started to walk away a the other woman struggled to gain her breath back. Before Ivy passed the doorway Kate said something " you know I agree with you." This stopped Ivy and made her turn around "your right i know others paint you in an unfair from batman to the police everyone sees you as an eco villain, but you goal though i don't agree with the means you use but your goal is a noble goal and more people should protect the environment more rigorously." Ivy found herself liking the redhead.
Ivy found herself talking with the redhead listening to the plans she has for funding wilderness restoration and investing in programs to build the environment. Ivy and Kate began to drink a lot of Kate's Whiskey during their chat. The next morning Kate awakens to an unfamiliar feeling of having someone laying on her shoulder. Kate peaks a little to see the mess of red hair not belonging to her and a slightly green tinged arm draped over her midsection. Kate could not believe it she had bedded a lot of different people, but since she and Maggie broke up there was no woman she would want to share her bed with till last night, and some would say it was the alcohol, but Kate for the first since Maggie felt a connection. Of all the women in Gotham Poison Ivy would be the one to catch her eye and could you blame her? I mean Poison Ivy was the picture of the other looming problem is her other half how Ivy would feel knowing she just slept with the batwoman of all people. After a few minutes Ivy began to stir, and started to cuddle closer "morning you" Kate looked down and said the same thing. Kate then shifted " Ivy what do you want this to be a casual one night stand or something more because i can tell i would not mind if it was something more."
Ivy comes back to the present reality thinking back when she meets Kate. Ivy would be lying if she told you she wasn't happy. Truth be told for the first time in her life Ivy actually felt loved, and she grew to have genuine feelings for Kate. Even after Ivy found out about Kate's alter ego after she helped her get away from Batman, and trusted her enough with her secret. However like all good things it had to come to an end though Ivy didn't want it to, but kate could not always be there to help her escape from batman and eventually the dark knight caught up with her and sent her to Arkham and Ivy had not seen Kate since then. Now the woman she still loves is telling her that after all this time she still loves her. Ivy still however unyielding " if you love me so much why did you start dating that cop" Kate turned to Ivy " yes i dated Maggie, but why do you think we are not together now Maggie has been great but she is not you and she never could be. I can actually have a conversation with shop talk and have you actually understand it. We each know the secret backstage and to this day Maggie still does not know that secret but you do. Ivy no one came close to being you and no one ever will." Ivy could not believe that the truth in Kate's worlds showed Ivy what she wanted to see. However even with that Ivy was still not convinced " Kate what do you want if the first time was anything to go by you know it will never one day that dark knight will come kicking the door down and take me back to Arkham we could never be truly happy." The vulnerability in Ivy's voice caught Kate of guard maybe there was a chance something could come out of it so she goes to sit next to Ivy " Ivy look i know it will not be easy but love is often times not easy, but all good things come to those who wait and i think we both have waited long enough to be actually happy, and this time not even batman could do anything we are not in Gotham anymore, and he will not just have Batwoman to deal with i have friends in high places here Pam you can start over be Pamela Isley maybe even reinvent Poison Ivy but the choice is yours i am willing to make this work if you are." Ivy couldn't believe it for the first time in her life someone wanted to fight for her this was such a foreign experience to her she was so used to only getting affection from plants that she forgot what it felt like from people, but maybe this was her chance maybe they could be something more. Ivy turned to Kate with tears started to slip down and nodded her head affirmatively. Kate leaned in and kissed Ivy without hesitation. What people don't know is after their first time at Kate's mansion in Gotham Ivy had given Kate immunity to toxins, a gift only reserved for one other in the past being Harley Quinn. Outside the door Kiara was on her cell phone talking with Diana telling her about the drama in the room, but beaming because Kate got her girl but man was it world war lll in there. Over the next few days it was agreed that Ivy could stay in Diana and Kiara's penthouse which usually meant that Kate would be staying over at their place for a majority of the time. The three still need to track down the green hand a task made easier with Pamela's help.
Over the next week Ivy and Kate were somewhat inseparable, nothing physical yet like over a year ago, but this time Kate wanted to really get to know Ivy her hopes, dreams, fears. When they met for the first time Kate met Poison Ivy eco terrorist extraordinaire, but now she wanted to know Pamela Lillian Isley the woman that so few have gotten to see and it is not inconceivable to think that Kate and Harley Quinn and the only ones that have seen that side of Ivy still among the was going very well Kate and Ivy would spend a lot of time with Diana and Kiara. Both couples enjoy a good meal or a good movie marathon depending on what was on Netflix, or Hulu. Kate was worried if Ivy would fit in here and National City and she was and even getting along well with the Amazon and Kyrptonian. However the one noticeable difference is where Ivy went for guidance. Over time Kate had become close with Kiara and the two would seek counsel from each other whether it was just to talk or bounce ideas of the other, and even just asking for advice. Ivy on the other hand found that with Diana, and Kate was glad because Ivy had someone to talk even if it was not her, and even more so that Ivy had Wonder Woman and Overgirl to protect her if things went sideways especially not knowing if the DEO will react to another villain now residing in National City. Kate was just glad to know she had Ivy back safe and sound and two friends of a lifetime like Diana and Kiara, and in no time at all they would have the green hand destroyed. So for now at least things were looking up for Kate Kane for the first time in a long time.
A few days later alarm bells started to go off at the DEO and it was all hand on deck. For the first time in weeks the whole team was there, even Maggie because of the urgency. Over the past few days birds and other wildlife have been dropping dead across the city, and no one knows much of anything. Diana and Kiara looked at each other clearly thinking but hoping it was not what they were thinking it was. Winn continued with the briefing stating that though the virus proved to be a very efficient killer it was not transmittable meaning that everything infected had to come within a close proximity to the source. Winn adjourned the meeting saying he would update the team with any updates on the virus. Kiara and Diana rushed to the penthouse. Kate and Ivy were watching TV in the living room when Overgirl landed carrying Diana bridal style. Diana walked in " we have a problem" Kate and Ivy turned to the woman " I told you today was going to well something was going to happen" Diana started to tell the two redheads what happened at the DEO and the mystery virus that was killing wildlife all around National City. However once Diana concluded Ivy chimed in that it could not have been the Green hand. Kate turned to her girlfriend "how do you know ?" Ivy then clarified " the green hand's whole agenda was to hit humanity back for the destruction of the environment. So the toxin was geared specifically to attack the human nervous system. This virus is attacking humans and animals alike in a way the nightshade virus does not. Second the nightshade virus was designed to be released and infect large areas once aerosolized so if there are only single incidence point to something else or there would be more cases and fatalities around the city." Kate, Diana, and Kiara listened to Ivy explain and after Ivy finished the group was confident that with Ivy's knowledge and experience with the virus that this must have been something else. Ivy then turned to the group with the proper equipment and setting i can isolate the virus and begin working on an antidote for it before it starts affecting a wider spectrum." The three women turned to Ivy, clearly shocked at the willingness of the plant villain to want to help. " I have been held up here for weeks now and before that I was a prisoner. I need to do something and i am one of the only people with the background and knowledge that can make heads or tales of this." Kate listened to her girlfriend and cracked a small smile. Kate turned to the other two " head back to the DEO to see if the nerd was able to find out anything that may help us further. I am going to take Ivy to one of Kane Industries labs in the city to move on to finding out just what we are dealing with." Back at the DEO Imra was telling the team that it seemed as if the virus was caused by pestilence. However the silver lining at this point was that it looked like the virus was still not contagious seeing as each instance was isolated as if they were test runs. So it was clear that that pestilence had awoken and was loose. What's worse is they had no idea who it could be or what she was targeting. Even more concerning is they don't know when this plague will become lethal and start killing people. Kara was still of the opinion that the world killers can be redeemed and wanted to try and reach pestilance's humanity. This did not go over very well with members of the team. Alex was again frustrated at Kara's unwillingness to treat the world killers as a major threat and that they needed to be put down. Kiara found herself in the rare situation of actually agreeing with Alex albeit for different reasons she wants to prove to everyone that she is the superior of the two between Kara and her and to send a statement to everyone else. Imra wants to get rid of pestilence because of the incredible danger she poses in the future. Kara would hear none of it wanting to instead tone down the effort to save pestilence saying that with Julia they pushed too much and wanted to take a more reserved approach " Pestilence has a human side and we need to find it, and we don't operate like that" It was at this point Kiara had enough she knew Kara was naive, but to show this kind of weakness to do what needed to be done for the good of everyone " I knew you were dense and naive, but i didn't think you were this weak you have not one, not two, but three of these beings of incredible strength and savagery and you refuse to do what is needed. I fight against them because i can go to that level needed to beat them I can fight them at their level, and the reason you have failed every single time at fighting them and risked everyone's lives in this room on more than one occasion is because they know you can't and won't go the distance" the room went quiet very few had the nerve to question Kara in such a crude manor everyone knew that Kara optimism was one of her greatest strengths, but one of her major weaknesses but no one ever called her out like that. Kiara continued " everyone hear may want to kiss your ass out of some twisted sense of loyalty to you, but your going to get someone in this room killed i swear to god in the subway is was almost Alex, in december it was almost Diana, at fort rozz it was almost Livewire. How many times have you almost got Winn, Olsen, Lena killed when is it going to stop Kara when someone finally dies when will this sunny optimism end." Kara stepped toward her doppleganger " it was that sunny optimism as you call it that helped me make the decision to bring you here when everyone wanted me to let you die, and you know looking back on that standing here now i am glad because you have helped us a lot whether you had some ulterior motive or not so forgive me if i don't abandon my that just yet" Kara walks away leaving Kiara staring daggers into her. The team starts getting reports of a situation in city hall of people falling ill bleeding from their nose.
The team mobilizes but Overgirl and Diana stay behind Diana to make sure her girlfriend does not do anything brash, and Overgirl stayed behind because Kara needed to learn that this blind optimism will get someone killed and she would be damned if she intervened in this situation lest you forget she was not a hero. Kiara stood atop the DEO, and after a few moments she heard the all too familiar footsteps of her girlfriend coming to join her " Any word from Kate or Ivy or updates from city hall ?" Diana stood next to her " not yet" Diana looked at her girlfriend's scowl and knew the conversation earlier was still on her mind " you want to talk about what happened earlier" Kiara just kept looking forward " there is nothing to talk about Kara is going to learn one day the hard way." Diana intertwined her hand with Kiara " Darling you have to realize you and Kara may be the same person but you are radically different. Kara was raised in a world of kindness and optimism. She was taught to see the good in everyone no matter how evil they may be. I know for you it's still hard to accept these certain aspects of living here, but sometimes things are always black and white, and i think you and Kara are right but it depends on the situation. You can't let it bother you or judge Kara too harshly ." Kiara turned to her girlfriend and nodded her head that maybe Diana was right but before Kiara could respond they were interrupted by a frantic DEO agent " Wonder Woman agent Schott collapsed in the lab and he is bleeding."
Kara and the other returned to the DEO after the situation at city hall was resolved to see Winn in the medbay with the virus. It was now an imperative that they find a cure. Their first cure attempt, designed from Mon El and Imra's blood, had proven ineffective. Their blood was engineered to fight the more advanced plague, not this one so they needed a new plan of attack; they needed pestilence blood to make the cure. As the group was still trying to think of any other options available Alex begins to bleed from her nose and collapse. It became apparent that the DEO was well behind on the cure development and now Alex and Winn are in bad shape. Kiara and Diana stepped away from the group and called kate. On the third ring Kate answers and Diana begins " what's the status because we need something and fast Winn and Alex are both sick with the virus so it looks like the virus is becoming more serious by the minute." to their relief Kate and Ivy had made tremendous progress and have already isolated many keep properties it was just a matter of getting pestilence DNA and they should have the cure in less than two hours and because Kate's resources could get it distributed in no time. Diana and Kate were looking at each other and deciding if they should tell the DEO about Kate and Ivy's involvement and decide against it for now. As they return to the group it seemed that they located pestilence using social media of all things to find Dr. Grace Parker as she seemed to be Pestilence. After a while of waiting they tracked down Parker to a pharmaceutical company. So the team mobilizes to track down pestilence. When Kara and the other return with no pestilence it was clear to Kiara what had happened they got their butts kicked again. However Imra was able to score a hit on pestilence so with that Brainiac begins the analysis and creation of the cure. However even with Brainiac intelligence it would take hours to create the cure. It was at this moment that Diana had enough of stalling " what if i have a better solution" the team turned to Diana. Kara then asked " what do you mean DIana?" Diana turned to Kara " in the event of a cure plan not working i reached out to Kate Kane about creating a cure and mass producing it to get it out to everyone. She has a world class Chemist who has made great progress in such a short time. All they need is pestilence DNA and we can have a cure in less than two hours. The group was divided on the matter; a few did not one to risk bringing Kate into this, but with the urgency they threw caution to the wind and if Diana trusted Kate Kane enough to bring her in already. After Diana and Kiara got the DNA to Ivy, creating the formula for the cure was simple and within a couple of hours the cure was getting distributed to those that had been infected. After afew hours the cure was working, Winn and Alex who were among the first to receive the cure had made good progress. Alex had woken to Kara and Maggie next to her and Winn had Mon El and Jimmy. It seemed everyone was out of the woods for now.
Winn was back in the operations in no time and getting back to the business of tracking the world killers. Trying to track down Purity using the frequency of the sonic scream. No sooner did Winn finish that an alert went off indicating that purity was on the move, and Kara's blood ran cold when she realized they were heading directly to L corp. Kara, Mon El, J'onn, and Imra leave for L corp. The four of them arrive in Lena's lab to a very unexpected surprise: Lena had Sam as a captive. However before they could question lena about Sam Purity and pestilence arrived. Kara and the other tried to put a fight but to no avail and they were easily dispatched by the now three world killer. To the shock of everyone the big reveal was Sam was in fact Reign . before they could recover the world killers escaped. Kara turns to Lena knowing they need to have a conversation about this.
After Mon El, J'onn and Imra left Kara and Lena alone. Kara looked at Lena " what were you thinking you could have gotten yourself killed." Lena told kara that Sam came to her complaining of blackouts so we ran tests on her and it was a dumb coincidence that we discovered that Sam was in fact Reign. Kara went into full protective mode " Lena you can't risk that look what happened Purity and Pestilence tracked her here if we were not here they could have killed you and there is nothing we could have done nothing i could have done. Lena next time you have to tell us so i can protect you." Lena was now frustrated " Protect me Kara since we started dating you have been protecting me. You don't even want me getting involved in any DEO mission, you're not protecting me, you're isolating me." Kara stepped toward her girlfriend " Lena no matter how i may try i may not always be there to protect if you got hurt i don't know what i would do so if keeping you away from danger is what i have to do then i have to do to keep you safe." Kara would leave after that and head to the DEO aware that this conversation is not over. Lena was clearly frustrated. On one hand she understood Kara had lost so much in her life she just wanted to protect her love. That being said on the other hand she was a Luthor and Luthor's never hide, but as long as Kara just sees her as just a frail woman. It was not long ago that Lex created the Lexosuit to fight superman. This gave Lena an idea on how to get Kara and the other to look at her in a different way. She looks at her computer and says " computer create file Iron Maiden Protocol on my private server.