2 An Unexpected Alliance
Two days later
The phone of Boss rang. The Leader still sleepy freed himself from the grasp of the beautiful girl beside him and took the call.
''Yeah?'' He asked. ''Oh, Shaundi, it's you. You got any news?'' Boss yawned. ''Yeah. I am awake now. I will be there in 10 minutes…. Yeah, she was pretty good. Not really my type but still pretty good.'' Boss commented while he was looking at the woman sleeping next to him. ''Ok, Shaundi, see you there.''
Boss got out of the bed, brushed his teeth, put some clothes on and was just leaving when the girl woke up.
''Where are you going?'' She asked still half asleep.
''Don't worry. I just have to take care of something.'' He answered and exited the apartment. The girl simply put her head back on the pillow and continued her sleep.
10 minutes later, Boss entered a shisha bar. Just from the looks you could tell that was one of the Saints' outpost. Everywhere were people wearing purple and the Saints' stigma.
Of course, immediately recognized, the Leader wasn't bothered by anyone. He went to the VIP lounge and found Shaundi sitting on a pile of comfortable pillows appreciatively smoking the newest drug.
Boss sat beside her. She gave him the pipe. He returned it but not before he inhaled some of it himself.
''Not bad.'' He commented.
''Right?'' Shaundi responded in a good mood. ''I found your girl, boss. Like the eco-anarchist she is, she is hiding in Robinson Park. Some of our girls tried to sneak in but they were caught by some freaky looking plants. When I saw them myself for the first time, I was doubting, if I was not high at that time. How will you convince her anyway?'' Shaundi asked.
''With my charming personality.'' Boss joked.
''If it's you, you could really pull it off, but I would think of a plan B just in case.'' Shaundi laughed taking another breath.
''Yeah, you are right. Money will probably don't do it. I have to be creative.'' Leader thought for a moment. ''I got it. I call Kinzie. She will probably have an idea. Great job, see you, Shaundi.'' Boss said and stood up.
''Thanks, Boss. I still will be here for a while. I can't just get enough of that stuff.'' Shaundi replied and continued to smoke. ''This is paradise.'' Shaundi sighed contently.
Boss smiled and exited the bar. Then he called Kinzie.
Robinson Park Lunchtime
Poison Ivy was in her garden enjoying the company of her babies, when suddenly she was informed by her plants that a car was closing in on her hideout. Surprised, she looked out of the window and indeed a purple van could be seen, driving through the park towards her.
Maybe that has something to do with the recent attempts to sneak into her home. Ivy wondered. A couple of strange women tried to break in, but her natural security system handled them rather easily. But Ivy didn't recognize their affiliation. They weren't part of any supervillain's gang she knew. Whoever it was, they shouldn't mess with her or they would regret it.
The van stopped in front of her building. A good looking young man wearing blue jeans, a black t- shirt and a purple jacket got out of the car. He was followed by four heavily armed guys also wearing the same color scheme dragging a man out, who had a bag over his head. Ivy recognized the symbol. The women had the same symbol.
It was obvious they knew she was here and they were here for her. Ivy checked the surroundings. No police or reinforcements. It was only these six guys. Nothing Ivy couldn't handle. Ivy was intrigued. There was no harm in hearing these guys out.
Before she reached the door she could hear three strong knocks on the door. She opened it surrounded by her plants and looked into the eyes of a smiling man.
''Are you Poison Ivy?'' The man asked the obvious question.
''Who wants to know?'' Ivy replied coldly.
''Where are my manners? I am the Leader of the Saints. You may have heard of me. I want to make a deal with you.'' The man politely explained.
''Why would I the Queen of Plants make a deal with a meat-bag as yourself?'' Ivy asked her mood worsening. That man was interrupting her fun time with her babies.
''Meat-bag? Now that's just mean. I admit, I gained a little weight recently. But to call me a meat-bag is just cruel.'' The man answered hurt.
Poison Ivy was looking at him stunned. Too surprised to say anything the man started to speak again. ''No, seriously. I want to suggest a deal. I wouldn't have come here, if I hadn't a good offer. If you want, we can discuss it in peace.'' Reluctantly Poison Ivy gave way and the man and his followers entered.
She led them to a comfy looking Livingroom with two couches and a small table between. Ivy sat on one and the Leader of the Saints across her. The four men remained staying. ''If you are trying to trick me, I will kill you.'' Ivy exclaimed with cold eyes.
''Fair enough.'' The man answered and continued. ''Are you able to develop an antidote to a specific toxin?'' Boss asked.
Ivy laughed. ''I can develop a cure for every toxin in this world. But why should I do it for you?'' She still looked at him with cold eyes.
''Don't be hasty now. I didn't want to offend you. I just wanted to make sure.'' Boss raised his hands in a calming manner. ''As you know I am Leader of the Saints the new rising gang. Now that we have killed the Penguin, we are targets of everyone with power in Gotham.'' Boss explained her the situation.
''You killed the Penguin?'' Ivy asked in surprise. She couldn't believe it. Over the years the rogue gallery of Gotham had been pretty consistent. Penguin's death was a big issue.
''It seems you are a little outdated, but yes, we took out the Penguin and his organization.'' He stated. His voice was firm. He spoke the truth. Still shocked Ivy caught herself quickly. The man continued. ''As for what it is in for you. I guessed money wouldn't help much, so I thought of a little present to show you my honesty.''
That was the cue for the two men holding the captured man. They stepped forward and revealed his face. Ivy recognized him immediately. ''As you can see this is Mr. Bergman. The CEO of Motor Systems. I just couldn't help it. He and his company are polluting our sweet nature. Then when I saw him leaving his office with a full set of bodyguards, I couldn't resist and just had to bring him to Justice. So I brought him to you.''
Boss was interrupted by the man trying to say something but it was deafened by the gag in his mouth. ''Do with him, what you want. Kill him, probe him for information or make him one of your mindless followers. I don't care. Do I have your cooperation?'' Boss asked ignoring the restrained man.
''You certainly peeked my interest. But if I refused your offer, what would happen to Mr. Bergman?'' Ivy asked innocently.
''I still would give him to you. I don't have any use for him and I wouldn't want my effort go to waste.'' Boss answered honestly shrugging his shoulders.
''It seems you are acceptable for a meat-bag. What do you want?'' Ivy spoke somewhat agreeing to Boss' terms.
''I want you to develop an antidote for the Joker-gas for me and my gang.'' Boss told her.
''Why would you need something like that?'' Ivy asked surprised.
''To kill the Joker.'' Boss firmly stated.
''I am in.'' Ivy immediately replied.
''Well, technically not really killing the Joker, more like to be able to kill the Joker, if the need arises.'' Boss admitted.
''I am still willing to lend a hand. But even I can't make an antidote, if I don't know what's in the toxin. Get me some samples of the Joker-gas and you will have your antidote.'' Ivy told the Leader.
''Do you know where I could get it?'' Boss asked.
''Either Arkham Asylum or the GCPD.'' Ivy answered shortly.
''Not ideal, but I can handle that. I will get the samples.'' Boss said and stood up to leave.
''One more thing.'' Ivy began. Boss turned around again. ''With the Joker there is an annoying blonde girl. If you really will fight against the Joker, make sure not to hurt her or our little partnership is over and I will kill you.'' Ivy said looking Boss in the eyes. She wasn't joking.
''No problem. Besides, do you have a cell phone?'' Boss wanted to know. Ivy denied. ''Okay, take this. With it we can stay in touch. It has my number and the number of our IT-girl. You can call anytime. If you have troubles, we will help you. On one condition though, don't mess with any of my crew. If I hear that you are brain washing my men, I will kill you regardless of whether you made the antidote or not.'' Boss stretch out his right hand.
''Deal.'' Ivy shook his hand and Boss left, a smile on his face. His men followed him quietly.
Ivy sat alone in her Livingroom and thought about their conversation. After a while she remembered that the Saints left Mr. Bergman. He tried to crawl away but Ivy caught up effortlessly. ''Why would you run from me?'' She asked seductivelly.
She freed him from the gag and kissed him on the mouth. ''Wouldn't you rather serve me and do everything I tell you?'' She asked again and Mr. Bergman shook his head in agreement. Maybe this little partnership with the Saints wasn't such a bad idea, after all.
''Hello, here is Jane Valderamma from Channel 6 News with some new background information on the Saints. The new Leader of the Saints was initially just a new recruit who fought his way up through a long and bloody internal war within the Saints. We don't know who he is or from where he comes, we couldn't even find out his name. But one thing is for sure, he managed to unite the Saints and make them one of Gotham's biggest gangs. Standing by his side are his two fateful lieutenants Johnny Gat, who is connected to at least 300 different cases of murder, and Shaundi, who is a popular figure in the underworld. She has good connections to drug dealers and other criminals. She is also infamous to be an easy woman and to have a weakness for several drugs. We will keep you updated. I am Jane Valderamma from Channel 6 News.''