Chapter 24: Preparing for War
Something was wrong. It didn't take the world's greatest detective to figure that out. As soon as they got back to Gotham Bruce had reverted to his typical Batman demeanor, even when he wasn't in the damn suit. Nightwing and Robin were now always hanging around Wayne Manor, looking just as antsy and paranoid as their mentor. Harley didn't mind the extra company in the mansion, but they refused to tell her why they kept staying. She knew Nightwing had Bludhaven to protect and Robin...well Robin still had a social life outside of crime-fighting, as most teenagers his age did. Still, they hung around the place 24/7, only leaving the manor to go with Batman on his night watches. He wouldn't even let her come with him! She felt like she was a prisoner in the mansion once again.
She was constantly being watched, either by Bruce or his sidekicks, or by Alfred. Harley could tell it wasn't because they didn't trust her. The looks they gave her were ones of concern and worry, not distrust. It was bugging her to no end that she didn't know what was going on. She also felt a little hurt that Bruce did not tell her what's up, but she also knew it more than likely involved her, so he was just protecting her. She couldn't fully blame him.
Still, she was going to find out what was happening, and she was going to use the stealth skills Bruce taught her to boot. Sneaking past the kitchen, where Alfred was busy preparing the dinner(she had told him she was going to take a bath, so he wouldn't be suspicious.) Harley made her way to the grandfather clock and pressing a button nearby, revealing the secret passageway down to the Bat Cave. Checking around her to make sure Alfred hadn't spotted her, she descended the stairwell as the entrance closed automatically behind her.
Lucky for her, Bruce and the boys were out for a night of collecting criminal's teeth off the sidewalk. The dark and cold cave had become her home just as much as the mansion. Even in the darkness, Harley knew her surroundings well. As she came to the bottom of the stairwell, the lights on the Bat Cave suddenly came on, much to the annoyance of the other residents of the cave. The bats screeched it protest and flapped above her, but they didn't bother her. She had grown accustomed to them, like they were pets. As that idea of thinking of bats as pets crossed her mind Harley sighed to herself.
"I think I've been hanging around Bman too much."Harley said to herself, smiling a bit.
She made her way to the Batcomputer and turned it on. A password screen came up and Harley just scoffed, as if mocking it. She had long ago figured out the password. Coming down in the morning to use the computer to watch Netflix. A few keystrokes later and Harley was in!
She noticed that Bruce had been looking into the Justice League's members files. Why? Backtracking his internet uses, Harley also noticed he had been in video chat with a few other League members that he had not been searching through their files previously. What on earth was he planning?
That's when she came across the file titled "GodWar". When she opened it Harley couldn't help but to gasp in shock.
This file was instructions on how to take down Justice League members in case they went rogue. It had all their weaknesses and even information on their mental state and history. The file was highly detailed and well-thought out. Had the Justice League gone bad? Is that why Nightwing and Robin had been hanging around the place so much? Was Batman about to take out his fellow League members? What on earth did any of this mean?
"It's not nice to snoop Miss Quinzel." a voice said behind her, causing Harley to jump and quickly spin around. Standing a few feet away was Alfred, holding a tray of food and looking at her like she had discovered some dark secret.
"What is all of this about Alfred?"Harley asked, hoping to shift the conversation away from the fact he had just caught her snooping, "Is Bruce about to take out the Justice League or something?"
jm"We hope it doesn't come to that but...it doesn't seem like Superman and the others will listen to reason." Alfred answered, placing the tray on a nearby table.
"Why is he going up against them in the first place?"Harley asked, "It has something to do with me doesn't it?"
"Well...I probably shouldn't tell..."Alfred mumbled, unsure if he should answer her, before finally sighing in defeat, "Yes it is Miss Quinn. The Justice League believe you need to go back to Arkham. The rest of us of course don't agree."
"Bruce is going to duke it out with the Justice League over me?" Harley uttered in disbelief.
"Do you honestly think he wouldn't? No matter what the odds?" Alfred stated, and Harley couldn't argue with that statement. His determination, or well stubbornness for a better word, is one of the things she loved about him. However, him hiding something as important from her as going to war with the Justice League over her is something he needed to work on. Well, no one is perfect.
She didn't want to go back to Arkham, Harley felt as if she had truly reformed and going back to such a miserable place would definitely not help her. However, she hated to what lengths Bruce had to go just to ensure her safety and freedom. He was a strong man, a clever man...her man...but he still was just a man. Superman, WonderWoman, and the rest of the League were gods. While Batman could probably hold his own against them on a one-on-one fight, he was going to have a hard time facing them all at once. Even with Nightwing, Robin, and whoever else Bruce convinced to come to his side of this squabble. Still, Harley knew he was going to be outmatched.
She tossed around the idea of just turning herself over to the JL, but the thought of being separated from Bruce and the new life she had built with him filled her with dread. She wasn't simply going to give up without a fight, not when Batman wasn't. Besides, she had a future child to protect. Turning herself in was out of the question, no matter what. Harley rubbed her belly as if to confirm to herself she was making the right choice. She wasn't that far along, but if you looked at her closely you could notice a slight bump where her stomach was. People would probably assume she was just getting fat.
"Alfred, do you think you can cover for me? I need to go somewhere."Harley asked, turning to the butler.
"My word Miss Quinn surely you're not going to turn yourself over are you!?"Alfred questioned, a look of panic on his face.
"Hell no. This is my life and I have more than earned it," Harley replied confidently, "but I will not let Bruce fast this alone. I will stand beside him and face down those jerks together. So please Alfie, will you cover for me till I return?"
Alfred was about to protest but caved when Harley used his nickname she gave him and puppy-dog eyes, "Alright my dear. I will try. It will be hard though to sneak one past the World's Greatest Detective though."
"Thanks a bunch!"Harley replied cheerfully, skipping her way back towards the staircase.
"Make I ask though where exactly you are going though?" Alfred shouted after her.
"To get the cavalry."Harley answered simply, making her way up the stairwell and out of the Batcave.
As night descended upon Gotham Harley, dressed in her Batgirl uniform, had arrived at the Gotham Docks. She knew of a secret bar that Batman's rogue gallery hung out at when they had busted out of Arkham and wished to just relax before trying to take over the city for the billionth time. She felt bad that she had not told Bman about this place yet (guess she needed to work on the whole hiding secrets from your significant other as well). Harley had a reason though, or at least she thought she did. When the time was right she was going to try and talk to her other Arkham inmates. The asylum wasn't place of healing, just holding. Harley understood that, and she understood the inmates. Maybe she could do what Bruce did for her, minus the love and baby-making part. She knew it was a long shot, but she was willing to try, and now was the perfect time to try.
As Batgirl entered the building, the loud bar instantly went quiet. Low-life thugs and criminal masterminds alike stared at her in horror. A quick scan of her surroundings revealed that the only villains here was her gal-pal Ivy (which was odd considering Ivy was a homebody and she hated most things that didn't photosynthesize), The Edward Nigma a.k.a. Riddler, and Killer Croc and Scarecrow, who the rest of the patrons were giving a wide berth. Without even a threat or anything the goons scattered, probably expecting the Dark Knight wasn't far behind her. In a matter of seconds the bar was empty except for the escaped Arkham inmates, who were staring at her with a mix of confusion, anger, and fear, but mostly confusion.
"Don't worry fellas. I'm not here to bring you in." Harley said, holding her hands up in a sign of peace.
"Harley my dear, I haven't seen you in forever." Ivy said, smiling at her. She was the only one here who seemed glad to see her.
"It's been ages Red. You look great. Found high-quality soil to roll around in?"Harley replied in a teasing tone.
"Where's the Bat! He better show himself now!" Killer Croc growled, flipping over the table her was sitting behind, roaring out.
"Calm down Waylon. I came alone." Harley answered, trying to comfort the beast.
"Then why on earth are you here then Quinn?" Riddler asked.
"I need you guy's help." Harley said, trying to make sure her voice doesn't sound too desperate.
"Batgirl needs our help? Whatever with?"Scarecrow questioned, a slight tone of amusement in his voice.
"I need your help protecting Batman." Batgirl answered, which earned her a look of confusion and barely-contained laughter.
"Maybe you should go back to Arkham Batgirl." Riddler said, snickering a bit, "cause you must be mental if you think we would help our greatest foe!"
"I like Harl, you're my best friend." Ivy stated, coming up to her and placing a hand on Harley's shoulder, "but what would we get out of this?"
Harley thought about it for a minute, before finally replying, "Redemption..."