Chapter 25: Where Loyalties Reside

-Flashback to Two Years Ago-

Gotham's worst were enjoying a day indoors at Arkham Asylum, passing the time in the mental institution's recreational room, not that they had a choice in the matter. All of the asylum's residents were there that evening, with the few that had done the old break out and cause mayhem having been brought back last night. Killer Croc, Scarecrow, and the Riddler were sitting around a wooden table in the corner, playing Old Maid and making sure to let Croc win because being a huge monster and a sore loser is not a good combination. Poison Ivy was near the barred window, holding a small potted plant and tenderly stroking it's leaves while she stared out into the rainy night. The rest of Batman's rogue gallery( besides Joker, who was rarely let out of his cell because he was too dangerous and he had just been brought back to Arkham by Batman and was being punished so to speak), were scattered about the room, bored but still grateful to be out of their cramped cells. The gloomy atmosphere in the room was instantly dissipated when Harley came into the room.

She had busted out with the Joker as well, but the Arkham staff rarely barred her from the rec room. As long as she was away from Joker, Harley was a joy to have in the bleak asylum and in fact, brought smiles to not only the staff but her fellow inmates as well. Even the most cold-hearted and insane inmate(besides Joker) couldn't help but grin when Harley was around. Despite being the Joker's henchmen, although most unfortunately knew she was more of his punching bag, she tried her best to keep her fellow inmates smiling and happy, because in a way, she considered them family.

Harley greeted Mr. Freeze first, patting him gently on the shoulder as the poor man clutched his most prized possession, a snow globe with a beautiful woman inside. Victor rarely smiled, and had very little reason to, but Harley as always, managed to get a grin out of him. She continued making the rounds, going up to everyone in the room, be they staff or inmate. As long as Joker wasn't pulling her strings, the Arkham staff never felt uneasy around her and she had never hurt them while she was out of the clown's presence.

Her tour of the room eventually lead her to the three men sitting around the table, Croc, Riddler, and Scarecrow. Without a second thought Harley threw her hands around Killer Croc's neck and gave him a good hard hug. Croc rolled his eyes, as he usually did when Harley would do this, but didn't shake her off. Most people wouldn't even go near Croc, much less give the guy a hug, but Harley didn't even give it a second thought.

"How are ya today Waylon?" Harley asked. She was one of the few people who used his real name, besides the doctors at the asylum.

"I'm fine Quinn." Croc growled in reply, but you could tell he was putting on a show of fake annoyance. He couldn't hide the toothy grin that Harley could clearly see.

"You want to join us for a game Miss Quinzel?" Scarecrow offered, pointing to the empty seat beside him.

"Yes please do."Riddler added, "These guys are hardly ones for stimulating conversations. You at least love to chat."

Harley giggled softly, waving her hand in dismissal, "Maybe later guys. I still need to check up on Red over there."

With a nod to the girl, the three resumed their card game, with Harley gleefully skipping over to her best friend. Upon seeing Harley, Ivy turned her attention away from the window and gave her a welcoming smile. Harley planted herself on the windowsill, kicking her legs back and forth like an overly-excited child.

"You know Harl it still astounds me that no matter how the day is, you're always so bubbly and happy. Even on a rainy dreary day such as this one."Ivy said, looking back out the window to emphasize her point.

"It's Gotham Red." Harley replied, "It's always dark and gloomy. Everything is. Even our hero. This isn't Metropolis after all."

Ivy smiled at that, "Yes well I am glad on that front. Superman's heat vision wouldn't be too good on my babies. At least the flying rodent doesn't have laser eyes."

"Gotham's still not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. There is just something about this city. It has a kind of charm to it ya know?" Harley asked.

"No I honestly don't." Ivy replied, smirking a bit. "But at least you make the best of it here."

Harley nodded, "And I want others to do the same as well. Especially our friends here. I may no longer be a doctor but I still want my fellow inmates to be happy and make the best of what life has thrown at them."

"You're still a mystery to me as always Harley." Ivy countered, shaking her head, "Maybe you're the craziest person in this place."

Harley laughed at that, "I won't argue with ya there. Is it so crazy that I want everyone in this place to smile and be happy?"

Ivy couldn't but smile slightly, "I...I suppose not Harl. At least that means everyone can get along in this place easier when you're around."

Harley nodded in agreement to that, before leaping down and grabbing her hand. She started pulling Ivy with her towards the card table with the others. Pulling up another empty seat beside the other, the pair sat down, against Ivy's protest.

"Alright Eddie. Deal us in!"Harley said cheerfully, "I'm going to cream the floor with you guys!"

Riddler scoffed playfully at that, "It's amusing you think you can beat me Quinn."

"Better not go back to your cell crying that you lost Harley." Killer Croc teased.

"Bring it on Waylon!"Harley retorted, as Nigma dealt out the cards to the group.

-Present Day-

Harley stood there, waiting for the others to respond to her. Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Riddler, and Scarecrow all looked at her, unsure what to say. It was true that the villains felt a little betrayed at Harley joining Batman and turning over a new leaf, but at the same time, they were happy for her. They were glad she had finally broken free of Joker's hold and had become a stronger person for it. Pamela was the first of the group to step forward towards Batwoman.

"I'm with you Harl. You're my best friend." Ivy stated, linking arms with her, "I'll always be here for you when you need me."

Riddler sighed, straightening his suit as he walked over and joined the pair, "I can't blame you for coming to me for help. I suppose I do owe you for not making this world as dull as it usually is."

"I must admit Miss Quinzel you're transformation is stunning." Scarecrow said, getting up from his chair, " and you're proposal rather intrigues me. I would love to see the outcome of this endeavor."

Scarecrow then walked over to the group, standing alongside them. They all turned to Croc, the last one who had yet to voice his opinion on the matter. Everyone could tell he was having a difficult time coming to an answer. His face revealed a mix of conflicted emotions. Harley took a few steps toward him.

"I'm-I'm sorry Waylon." Harley said, her eyes downcast, "I know you feel like I've betrayed you but...for the first time in a long time I'm...I'm really happy. Batman has given me a chance, something this city doesn't give too often."

Tears were starting to well up in her eyes, with one spilling over and down her face. Upon seeing that, Killer Croc's demeanor soften, his face suddenly becoming saddened. Harley quickly wiped away the escaped tear, before clutching her chest where her heart resided.

"But know this Waylon, and the rest of you guys," Harley continued, raising her head up and looking at Croc in the eyes, " I never once forgot about you. I still think of you as my friends and as my family. Batman gave me my chance at a better life. Now I want to offer that chance to you. So please...please take this chance."

Croc said nothing, just silently walked up to her, standing tall and looking down on her. For a few seconds the two stared at each other, with Harley thinking in the back of her mind that he was probably going to send her flying through the wall. Suddenly, Killer Croc bent down and wrapped his arms behind her back, pulling her into a gentle embrace. For what felt like a whole minute Harley said nothing, just in shock that Waylon was hugging her, something he had never done ever.

"How could I say no to that?"Croc said softly into her ear, which caused her to break out into a big grin.

She wrapped her arms around his thick scaly neck, hugging him back, "I knew you were always a softie. Thank you ya big lug."

"No Harley," Croc replied, "Thank you. Thank you for just...being you."

I hope you're enjoying the story so far! I wanted to do this chapter to help explain why exactly these guys would side with Harley! More to come soon!