After an unspecified amount of time passes, Batman groggily wakes up, realizing that he was now surrounded by Harley Quinn and several goons, one of which had Quincy Sharp.
"Poor Dr. Young. Still, you know how Mr. J hates a squealer." Harley says as she walks over to Sharp, grabbing his cane that another thug was holding onto. "Speaking of squealers..." She says as she takes the piece of tape off of Sharp's mouth and begins hitting him with his own cane.
"Oh! S-Somebody help me!" Sharp pleads as Harley hits him in the face with the cane so hard, the top of it breaks off.
"That old loony actually thinks he runs this place! Talk about crazy! Well, Bats, places to go! Get him, boys!" Harley says as the thugs surround Batman, chuckling to themselves as they get ready to fight him. "If he gets up, knock him down, but not too rough. Mr. J needs him at the party." Harley adds as she leaves the room, taking Sharp with her.
Batman gets up and beats the goons despite his grogginess brought on by the explosion. After knocking them all out, Batman calls up Oracle. "Oracle. Dr. Young is dead. Have you figured out a way past these security gates? Before she died, she told me there's a production plant hidden somewhere in the Gardens."
"The WayneTech security protocols seem to be hack-proof. Lucius did a good job. It's a two-part biometric sequence apparently generated by the Warden, using a code sequencer." Oracle says.
"And destroyed by Joker in the safe explosion. Harley Quinn has the Warden, and he's the only chance we have to get past these gates."
"Okay. Good luck." Oracle replies as she hangs up.
-Intensive Treatment Building-
The Green Mile
Batman wanders through the building before coming across Poison Ivy, who was sitting in a dimly lit cell. Upon noticing him, Ivy gets up and runs to the glass.
"Stop! Stop! Batman. Please! You've got to help my babies..." She pleads in desperation, putting her palm on the glass.
"I'm really not interested in a bunch of flowers, Ivy. Try that on Hulk. He's softer on you than I am."
"They're in pain! Crying for help!" Ivy pleads again, though Batman isn't affected by her begging.
"Just stay where you are; last thing I need is you running free!"
"Poor children...I'll save you!" Ivy says in a motherly way as she lays down on the floor of her cell.
-Later-
After many minutes of searching, Batman comes across Quincy Sharp, who is tied to a chair. Before Batman can untie him, he notices a monitor showing Harley strolling down a hallway, humming to herself before being jump scared by Ivy, yelping in surprise.
"Harley!" Ivy yells, slamming both her palms against the glass. "You have to help me!"
"Ivy?! Gee, you look like crap! Maybe I can sneak ya some shampoo." Harley says, noticing how worn out Ivy looks.
"The plants! Can't you hear them? They're crying out to me in agony!" Ivy says weakly.
"Yeah? Well, I really don't have time for this."
"Please let me out! They'll die without me!" Ivy begs.
"I don't know, Red. You're not on Mr. J's party list." Harley says as she looks at a list of names before looking back at Ivy. "Oh, well..."
As Harley begins to walk away, Ivy groans. "Please!"
Harley stops. "Ah, what the heck. I'll cut you a break!" She says as she swipes a card on the door, allowing Ivy to finally be free.
"That feels so much better...!" Ivy moans pleasurably as she struts away, but not before blowing a kiss to Harley.
"Ah, she's a good kid..." Harley sighs.
As Batman watches it all happen, Joker appears on a different monitor. "I could watch those two all day! What a riot! And speaking of riots...Here's a bit of civil unrest I cooked up just for you!" He says as he presses a button, releasing all of Arkham's most deranged, animalistic inmates, who cackle maniacally upon being released.
Cut back to Batman, who unties the Warden. "He's taken control of the security overrides. I have the sequence generator' but without the terminal in my office, it's useless." The Warden says as he rubs his wrists.
"Your terminal has been destroyed. Give me the sequencer." Batman commands.
"What? Oh...yes, of course." Sharp says as he hands a small gadget to Batman.
"It's useless. Half the code won't get you anywhere. We're trapped in here." The Warden says. He always gave up way too easily.
Batman shakes his head as he looks at the Warden. "There's always a way out. Always. Stay here. Lock this gate when I leave." Batman orders.
"Oh. Good idea. Can't have someone of my stature falling back into their hands, now can we?" Sharp asks as Batman departs.
Deciding he'll need help in taking down Harley, Batman calls up Hulk. "Hulk, where are you? I'm in the Intensive Treatment building, chasing down Harley."
"Just got out of the Mansion. You're after Harley? Count me in. I love to chase her." Hulk says as he hangs up, heading towards the Intensive Treatment building.
-Intensive Treatment Building-
Main Cell Block
Batman walks into a room with multiple cells surrounded by electric floor paneling before Harley jumps into view from the other side of the room, cackling.
"Surprise!" She hollers out as she bows to him out of 'respect'. "You know, Bats, I always thought there was a spark between us!" She teases as she uses her skills as an acrobat to get to a higher level of the room and hit a switch. "Well now there is!" She shouts as lethal electricity courses through the floor, killing a very unlucky Arkham guard. "I know, I know. You're shocked! Come and get me, Bats. I double dare you!"
Thinking fast, Batman uses his grapnel gun to get to the higher level, safe from the electric shocks as Harley's goons attack him, though he makes quick work of them. However, Harley escapes and cuts Batman off from her as a security gate activates behind her. "Was that as easy as it looked? Hmmm. Well. It won't be so easy trying to catch me!" She taunts as she blows a kiss at Batman before running away again.
Batman enters a room where two guards are hanging by their wrists above pools of water as Harley walks into view, standing safely behind a viewing room. "Look who's finally turned up. The Dork Knight himself. How's it hanging, Bats?" Harley mockingly asks. "Got a little problemo for you. See those two guards over there? I know. Shocking! How are you gonna save them?"
Wasting no time, Batman uses his Cryptographic Sequencer he got from Sharp to turn off the electrified water before hurling batarangs at the ropes, cutting the guards free.
"Time for me to go, Bats. I'll miss you...Not!" Harley meanly says as she looks at her wrist. "Oh, and you have only 30 seconds to get out. Bye bye." She says as she leaves.
"We're trapped. She's locked us in with a bomb!" One of the guards says. His panic increases when he hears rapid rumbling as the floor shakes. "What the hell's that?!"
"That's backup..." Batman says, knowing that Hulk was coming. Soon enough, the door crumples us slightly as Hulk pulls the door open.
"Anyone want out?" Hulk asks with a grin as the guards quickly run out of the room, followed by Batman as Hulk releases the door, making it close.
"Oh! I thought we were both gonna die in there!" One of the guards exclaims.
"You're safe now." Batman calmly says as he looks at Hulk, who grunts and nods. "How'd you know where I was?"
"Locator in my belt. Built it for me on my third year so I'd know where you were." Hulk answers, pointing to a centerpiece on his belt.
"You both going after that crazy witch? I saw her heading out of the door as we got out of the room." The guard says.
"She won't get away. We'll stop her, and then her boyfriend." Batman says determinately.
"Good. Listen, I'll go try and get the ventilation system working. If you guys find her, don't go easy on her. For me."
Hulk and Batman nod as they head off to find Harley, only to hear her voice on the intercom. "You expecting congratulations? Come on. Try and catch me. Oh, I see Hulkie-poo has joined the party. Hi, Hulkie. You miss me?"
"Nope." Hulk answers.
-Extreme Incarceration-
Hulk and Batman enter a raised platform surrounded by cells with numbers on them as Harley walks up to a control room console.
"Here he comes, Mr. J! And Hulkie joined in on the fun!"
"Excellent! I'll leave it to you, then, my dear. Just get rid of Hulk! He'll ruin everything!"
"Get them!" Harley yells as a large group of thugs charge out to fight the two heroes, though they're obviously no match against Batman and Hulk, who have superior skill and strength, respectively. Harley activates the electric panels on one of the floors. While Batman manages to get to safety, Hulk isn't quick enough and the electricity hits his boots, but nothing happens.
"What?! Why aren't getting all staticky?!" Harley asks, enraged by the unforeseen result.
"Ha! Reinforced leather boots, Harley. I can't be electrocuted!" Hulk gloats.
"He's done it again. I don't believe it. I'm on my way now." Harley says, but Joker has other ideas.
"Whoops. Change of plans, kiddo." Joker says.
"But I tried my best!"
"Sorry, but there is no prize for second place. I'm afraid you're off the party list. Better luck next time." Joker says with glee.
"No!" Harley pouts and whines as she leaves to attack the two heroes. "Die, you big ugly jerks!" She shouts angrily as she triple backflips towards them, though Hulk sighs as he catches her mid-kick and hurls her against a railing, light enough to keep her from breaking her back, but hard enough to really hurt as Batman approaches her. "Hey! Hands off the merchandise!" Harley yells when Batman grabs her arm and quickly yanks it away, out of his grip. He notices a piece of paper sticking out of her bra and pulls it out. "That's my party list!"
"Quiet." Batman says as he looks at the list of names. "Why the smiles next to certain names?" He asks as he hands the list to Hulk, who looks at the names.
"You're the detective. You tell me." Harley retorts as she stands up.
"Hmmm...Catwoman, Two-Face, Mad Hatter, Clayface, Killer Croc, Penguin, Ventriloquest. This is a list of the other inmates, Bat." Hulk says as Harley tries to punch Batman, only for Batman to counter her and knock her down again before using a scanning device on her fingerprints before Hulk lightly shoves her into one of the cells, locking her in.
"You won't find Mr. J. He's in a secret lab in the Gardens, and-Oh, crap!" Harley exclaims, realizing that she just told Hulk and Batman where Joker is.
"Yep, we know." Batman says, a secret grin appearing on his face.
"That was too easy..." Hulk says softly as he pockets the list of names.
"It always is when Harley Quinn is involved..." Batman replies.
"Damn! Well, he'll get me out! You'll see! Yeah...you'll see.." Harley says in defeat, knowing Joker won't help her escape.
After dealing with all that, Batman radioes Oracle. "Oracle, I'm done. Harley is...subdued and we have her prints scanned."
"We? Oh, right. Hulk is there with you. So you can find the secret lab in the Gardens."
"Yes. Harley's been everywhere on the island, so I'm calibrating the scanner to only show prints that have traces of chlorophyll."
"Okay, listen. Be careful. I re-routed a WayneTech satellite to show thermal scans of the island. The Gardens are showing up hot. Something bad is happening there." Oracle warns as she hangs up.
-Botanical Gardens-
Aviary
Hulk and Batman enter a room, noticing two Arkham guards hanging above a dark chasm in huge birdcages.
"Help me! Please! Get me out of this thing! One of the guards pleads.
"Listen, the Bat and the monster are on the way. If you see either one of them, send the annoying doctors to Hell. That's the...down one, right?" Joker says over the loudspeaker. "Remember, if you hear a dollar to off, it means those two are here!"
Batman and Hulk stay out of sight of the henchmen. "Joker's men all have the security collars. I'll need to take out the operator first. Hulk, stay here."
Hulk rolls his eyes, but realizes that he'd be spotted immediately, and nods. "Fine." He then turns back into Bruce Banner.
After a few moments, Batman makes it to the control tower and takes out the lone thug before heading off to take out the rest. Once they've been dealt with, Batman lowers the doctors onto the ground.
"Joker wanted the entrance to the Titan production plant guarded. We should pick up Harley's trail again so we can find it." Batman says. He quickly manages to find the entrance behind a wall panel as the two heroes enter.
-Titan Production Plant-
Bruce and Batman enter, catching the attention of Joker and two of his henchmen.
"Well, look who's discovered our secret lab. Since you both made it this far, let me show you both what I've cooked up." Joker says as he pulls out a dart gun and shoots his own henchmen with it, much to Bruce's surprise. The men groan as they go through a startling and painful looking transformation. Their muscles enlarge, their eyes glow a bright green, pieces of bone protrude from their bodies, and are now as big as the Hulk.
"Bruce, call him out." Batman says as he charges towards the Titan goons. Bruce sighs as he quickly transforms, roaring as he attacks the monsters, trading blows with them. Even these things were no match for him; they were a pale imitator compared to him. Even Bane put up more of a fight. Soon after, the two beasts were taken down, as well as several containers of the Titan drug as Batman calls Oracle. "Oracle, we destroyed the Titan production facility, but Joker escaped with enough to cause us real problems."
"Just when you think it can't get any worse." Oracle replies.
"They've been using a Venom plant hybrid to create the Titan strain. The plant's the key, and there's only one person on Arkham Island who can help us." Batman says.
"Don't tell me it's-" Hulk begins to say, only to be interrupted by Oracle.
"Ivy. What makes you think Poison Ivy will help you guys?"
"If her plants are at risk, she'll listen. I have a sample of her pheromone signature on record. She'll be somewhere in the Gardens. We'll track her down."
-Ivy's Lair-
Hulk and Batman enter a spacious room with a water fountain, spotting Ivy sitting near it, speaking to a vine in a motherly way.
"It's all right my darlings. I'm here now. My poor darlings...Yes, I know they found us. But I won't let them hurt you. I'll kill them first..." She then sees Hulk. "Hulk. It's been too long. Remember the last time we crossed paths?"
"I remember you making me your slave..." Hulk growls.
"Ivy. I know Dr. Young used these plants to produce Venom." Batman says.
"Yes, and I heard through the grapevine that the evil woman paid the price." Ivy says with an evil chuckle.
"We need you to help us create an antidote." Batman says as a vine slithers behind him.
"Why should I? Let Joker have his fun. I'll enjoy watching you squirm...and I'll make Hulk into my pet." Ivy says as the vine reels back to attack Batman only for Hulk to catch it and violently squeeze it, making Ivy scream in pain.
"Sorry. Did that hurt?" Hulk asks with a cruel grin.
"You've been in the dark too long!" Batman says as he approaches Ivy. "Every plant on this island will get the same unless you cooperate."
Ivy sighs in defeat as she clutches her arm. "There's a plant, growing deep in Arkham Island. Only it can reverse the effects of this Titan strain."
"Where do we find it?"
"Oh...in Killer Croc's lair. You didn't think it'd be easy, did you?" Ivy asks.
Batman turns around to leave, only to glance at Ivy. "Go back to your cell, or we'll be after you next..." After saying this, he leaves.
"And I'll be waiting..." Ivy says softly, revenge clearly on her mind.
"Sorry about the arm, Ivy." Hulk says apologetically as he kneels down.
"As if you could hurt my feelings...Remember that one night we had...?" Ivy asks seductively.
"Like I'm ever gonna forget..." Hulk mumbles.
"Oh, come now. It wasn't all bad. You had fun, just as I did." Ivy says teasingly.
Hulk chuckles as he gets up and walks away. "Some of if was good...until my senses came back. Of all places, it has to be Croc's lair that has the plant..." Hulk softly says in frustration.
After they leave Ivy's domain, Batman rings up Oracle. "Oracle, we need to find a way into Killer Croc's lair. It's somewhere below Arkham Island."
"There's nothing on the system about where he's kept." Oracle says.
"I found a door near the Batcave, but it's shut tight. There's got to be another way in. I left Guard Cash in the Mansion. We'll see if he can shed some light on where Croc's kept."
-Author's Note-
Next chapter will more than likely have Hulk and Batman dealing with Croc as well as them having to contend with Ivy's enhanced plants.