Darkfire issue #4
"*Flashback: Abraxas hurled a ball of dark energy towards the alien Starfire, but she dodged it, sending vibrant green starbolts back. Aquarius, the water manipulating speedster, was zipping around, dumping waves of water on the shapeshifter Beast Boy. The distraction was enough that he kept losing the shape he was using. Quickflame was racing after Aquarius, the two speedsters trying to nullify each other. Raven soared up, throwing dark energy at Abraxas, which he countered with his own magic. Static was laughing like a child as she lashed at Cyborg with ropes of electricity. Stormcell was high above, creating a gale of wind and lightning that struck with frightening precision. Quickflame doubled back, towards Starfire, and she grabbed his arm, launching him into the sky. He threw a wave of fire at Stormcell, who was unable to duck in time, while Raven opened a portal right in the middle Stormcell's body, ripping her in half. Then Abraxas turned back, too late to dodge the starbolts aimed at his head. The coronet of rubies shattered, his powers vanished, and a wall of fire raced towards him... *"
Abraxas opened his eyes, sitting up. Ever since he was brought back to life by Punchline, he had been plagued with visions of the fight that had claimed his life. "Where... where am I?" Abraxas asked, looking around. He was in a small, dimly lit room with no windows. The only door was locked from the outside. "Who brought me here?"
Suddenly, the door opened, and Punchline stepped in. She was grinning ear to ear. "You passed out. I didn't expect that, but I managed to get you in here." said Punchline, laughing. "I have a small job to do, that will make our job easier. Rest, gather your strength. Soon, I will need your power." With that, Punchline left, slipping out of her hidden base. She wished she could use Joker's old hideout, but it was so derelict and damaged as to be useful.
But she did have her mother's old bike, and climbed aboard it, heading for Central City.
Iron Heights prison was a fortress of a place. Originally built to be a supermax prison, it had been converted into a prison for metahumans. But Punchline cared little about that. What she cared about was one individual who was locked inside.
As she observed the prison, the ground beneath her feet shifted and moved, and out of it, borne on twisting roots and vines, was an older woman in green.
"Poison Ivy.. Wonderful to meet you at last. Is everything ready? You know exactly which cell Harley is in?" said Punchline.
"Oh, I do. And I know that your mother is looking forward to seeing you. When my vines delivered your message, they say the guards were terrified of her laughter." said Poison Ivy.
Punchline grinned, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Poison Ivy's presence only added to the excitement coursing through her veins. The notorious Harley Quinn, Punchline's mother, was locked away in Iron Heights prison, and it was time for a family reunion like no other.
"Yes, my dear Ivy," Punchline replied, her voice laced with a mix of admiration and mischief. "My mother's laughter has always been her signature. It's time to unleash her once again."
As the two villainesses made their way towards the prison, Punchline couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Her carefully crafted plan was set in motion, and the pieces were falling into place. With Poison Ivy's assistance, she knew they had an ally with infinite experience in fighting heroes.
Iron Heights prison loomed before them, its imposing structure a testament to the security measures in place. But Punchline was undeterred. She had meticulously studied the prison's layout, its weaknesses, and the guards' routines. Nothing would stand in her way.
Harley was ecstatic to be free, but she couldn't just walk out without causing mayhem. She turned to Ivy and said, "Think you can do something about these ugly walls? Make them pretty." she said with a laugh.
Ivy smiled, and sent great creeping vines crawling up the prison walls, their roots digging into the rock and concrete, crushing it. The guards were in a panic, and Punchline was happy to sow chaos. With her electro-kinetic power, she seized guards, tossing them around like ragdolls. Harley bounced around, grabbing two batons from the guards and gleefully bonking every head as she laughed. At one point, a young guard was uncertain whether it was Punchline or Harley who was laughing, as mother and daughter sounded so alike. As the chaos ensued, Poison Ivy continued to enhance the prison walls, turning them into a lush, green paradise. Harley Quinn danced around, twirling her batons and laughing maniacally. The guards were powerless to stop them. Punchline was laughing just as much as Harley, lashing out with electricity, tossing a few guards around.
As the chaos ensued, Harley and Ivy continued their rampage through the prison. The sound of crumbling walls and the terrified screams of the guards echoed through the halls. Ivy's vines continued to spread, weaving intricate patterns of vibrant greenery across the once dull and lifeless prison walls.
Harley swung her batons with reckless abandon, laughter bubbling from her lips with each strike. She twirled and danced through the chaos, her movements a blend of grace and sheer madness. The guard's attempts to stop her were futile as she effortlessly dodged their feeble attacks, always one step ahead.
Punchline reveled in her newfound powers, her electrifying energy crackling in the air. With a flick of her wrist, guards were sent flying like marionettes, their bodies crashing into walls and each other. She relished in the chaos, her maniacal laughter blending seamlessly with Harley's.
As they made their way deeper into the prison, more guards were alerted to their presence. The alarms blared, the flashing lights adding to the chaotic atmosphere. But Harley, Punchline and Ivy were undeterred, their determination fueling their every move.
With each passing moment, it became clear that their plan was working. The prison, once a symbol of confinement, was now a battleground of freedom and rebellion. The guards, overwhelmed and disoriented, could do little to stop the unstoppable force that was Harley and Ivy.
The trio fought their way through the labyrinthine corridors, leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. Along the way, they encountered prisoners who had been yearning for freedom, their faces filled with a mixture of awe and gratitude as they joined the uprising. Finally, they reached the prison's main entrance, the heavy metal doors standing as the final barrier to their escape. With a mischievous grin, Harley turned to Ivy and said, "Think we can make these doors pretty too? Maybe a touch of explosive color?"
Ivy chuckled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She summoned her vines once again, this time coating the doors in a vibrant display of flowers and foliage. As the vines tightened and the pressure built, the doors exploded open, granting them the freedom they so desperately sought.
Punchline, Harley, Ivy, and their newfound allies rushed out into the open air, their laughter echoing in the night. They had succeeded in their mission, leaving behind a prison transformed into a masterpiece of chaos and beauty.
Alarms blared throughout the base, alerting Quickflame, Raven, Nightwing, Black Cat, and Starfire to gather in the Situation Room. Darkfire, though forbidden entry, stood just outside, attentively listening with her ears and telepathic abilities.
Nightwing spoke up, breaking the tension. "Iron Heights has experienced a massive prison break."
Quickflame inquired, "Any information on the escaped inmates?"
Nightwing replied, "While reports indicate that approximately two dozen inmates, including a few metahumans, managed to escape, one stands out among them. Harley Quinn has broken free. According to the guards, a young woman dressed in purple with an unsettling laugh, accompanied by a green woman with control over plants, was responsible for the chaos."
Raven, typically composed, felt a jolt of shock. Quickflame raised an eyebrow, recognizing the names of the women mentioned. "Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy? Is there any chance they were working with someone else?"
Nightwing shook his head. "As of yet, there's no evidence of any outside influence." "We have a mission to undertake. Let us proceed." declared Quickflame. With a swift spin, he adorned his attire, flames ablaze on his hands and head, and his body pulsating in readiness for rapid movement.
Raven joined him, while Black Cat and Nightwing exchanged knowing grins. Starfire clapped her hands gleefully and exclaimed, "Oh, what an exhilarating adventure to combat crime alongside my comrades!"
The team swiftly departed the base, leaping, soaring, or dashing towards their objective. In their haste, they inadvertently overlooked Darkfire, who quietly stepped into the Situation Room.
"Alfred... Activate." she commanded.
"Greetings, Miss Darrow-Roth," responded Alfred's holographic AI.
"Alfred, I require my suit," Darkfire stated, half-expecting Alfred to deny her request, as his program often exhibited unpredictable behavior, much like the original Alfred.
"I had anticipated your need as soon as the alert reached us. I have taken the liberty of cleaning and preparing it for you. Please ensure your safety, Miss Darrow-Roth," Alfred replied.
A concealed panel in the wall slid open, revealing Darkfire's distinctive blue and black suit, accentuated by a striking red and gold cape and boots.
"Thank you, Al," Darkfire expressed her gratitude, swiftly changing into the suit and leaping into action, soaring away from the base.
It was easy enough to find the escaped prisoners, at least the normal ones. They were wreaking havoc in the city, robbing left and right.
Quickflame, being the fastest, arrived first and immediately surrounded two unlucky escapees in a column of fire.
Raven use her magic to pin another to a wall. Nightwing spun his Bo staff, knocking a criminal out, and Black Cat pounced on another. Starfire flew down, blasting one of the metahuman escapees with her starbolts.
All this Darkfire saw as she came on the scene, but there was something missing. She could sense every mind below, except the mind she could not feel. Punchline was not down there, and neither was Harley Quinn. These escaped prisoners were just decoys. Confident that her parents, Nightwing, Black Cat and Starfire could handle it, Darkfire flew off, searching for the Clown's progeny. But Punchline was waiting for her. A rope of electricity wrapped around Darkfire's leg and yanked her down to the ground. Punchline laughed, and the laugh was echoed behind her as Harley stepped forward.
"Well, well, well. Good catch, Punch.. You make a mother so proud." said Harley. As Punchline taunted Darkfire, she could feel the electric current coursing through her body, sapping her strength. Harley smirked, knowing that her daughter had her prey right where she wanted her.
Unaware of what was happening with their daughter, Quickflame and Raven worked together to subdue a couple more of the escaped prisoners, and Black Cat tackled a third. As he turned to face another, who had armed himself with a piece of jagged 2x4, a silhouette leapt on top of the prisoner. Catwoman smiled and said, "I didn't expect to see you again so soon, son."
"Yeah, and I hope it will be a long time before it happens again mother." said Black Cat, not bothering to hide his disdain for his mother.
Meanwhile, Darkfire was bound still by the electric ropes of Punchline, while Punchline's mother Harley Quinn laughed and taunted Darkfire.
"Hahaha! It's so good to be back on the street. Though I do miss seeing a certain bat around. Any word on him?" said Harley, laughing in sync with Punchline.
But Darkfire was no helpless victim. Using the magic she had inherited from Raven, she blasted Harley back, and bound Punchline. But the Joker's progeny laughed and shattered the mystic bonds. She leapt at Darkfire and the two young girls collided, rolling, punching, kicking. Darkfire had trained with both Nightwing and Black Cat for just such occasions, but Punchline was so unpredictable, she was on the defensive more than she wanted to admit. Her heightened telepathy warned her just in time as Harley, having regained her footing, swung her bat at Darkfire. She ducked under the blow, back flipped, catching the laughing mother and daughter under the chin and knocking them back. Punchline went to attack again, but something whizzed past her head, pinning her purple jacket to the ground. A black arrow shaft with red fletching had pinned her down. Darkfire looked up and around, and saw someone in a sleeveless red leather outfit with a hood descending with a grapple arrow.
"Darkfire." said the newcomer.
"Red Arrow. I didn't expect you here." said Darkfire.
"Heard about the breakout over the PD scanner." said Red Arrow, knocking an arrow to her bow. As they spoke, Punchline struggled against the arrow holding her down, but it held fast. Suddenly, a figure swooped down from the sky, landing lightly on his feet. It was the Batman, but not as Harley remembered him.
"What's the situation?" he asked, his voice calm and collected.
"You're not Batman. Who the heck are you?" said Harley. "I am Batman."
Harley looked from Red Arrow to Darkfire to the black dressed Batman. Then from behind, a rush of fire announced Quickflame's arrival. Starfire and Raven flew down. Nightwing repelled to the street and Black Cat, still followed by Catwoman, landed with the grace of the cat.
"Punchline... Time to go, sweets." said Harley. She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small round object and hurled it at the ground. A cloud of gaseous smoke emerged, forcing the heroes back, coughing. When the smoke cleared, Punchline and Harley were gone.
" One of Joker's smoke bombs." said Nightwing bitterly.
"Dammit! We almost had them both." Quickflame swore.
Raven reached out and grasped her husband's hand.
"Let's focus on Darkfire for now." she said, already approaching their daughter.
"Mom, I'm okay. Just.. Hurting a bit. Punchline.. Definitely has a hell of a punch." said Darkfire.
"Alright, fall back to base. PD has the escaped prisoners already. Red Arrow, care to join us?" said Quickflame. Red Arrow nodded, "Sure, I can help." He looked around the city streets, seeing the destruction that had been caused by the chaos. He sighed and said, "This is going to be a long night."
The heroes returned to the base, and Quickflame looked at the heroes present.
Raven, Starfire, Nightwing, Black Cat, New Batman, Red Arrow and his own daughter Darkfire. There hadn't been a strong coalition of heroes since the Justice League or the Titans. Raven looked at her husband, Quickflame, and then at the new team they had assembled. It had been a long time since she'd felt this level of camaraderie with others who shared their desire to protect the innocent and fight against evil. "I know many of you," Quickflame began, looking at Nightwing, Black Cat, Red Arrow and Batman, "Have your own way of working. But Punchline has recruited her mother Harley Quinn. Punchline is insane, but she is also a genius thanks to the late Dr Vetter's meddling. I ask you all.. Join us. Take her down. Here and now, a new team." said Quickflame.
Raven smiled under her sable hood.
" If we're a team, we need a name. " she said.
Nightwing smiled and said, "What about Nightstar?" Quickflame looked at his daughter, Darkfire, who nodded in agreement. "I like it," she said with a smile. "Nightstar. It has a nice ring to it."
New Batman also nodded, "Agreed. Nightstar it is." Alfred's AI hologram appeared, his advanced sensors following the conversation.
"I think it has a noble ring to it. Shall I update the operation code to the new name?" said Alfred. Raven nodded. "Yes, please. Upgrade the code to reflect the new name." She turned to the rest of the team. "Alright, everyone. Nightstar has been born. Let's show Punchline and her allies that we mean business."
With that, the team of Nightstar was officially formed. A new team, a new legacy to create, and new adventures awaited.
A/N
Normally, I don't put notes in these chapters to avoid clutter. But, seeing as this is the fourth issue published, I want to say a few words. First, if you have read, and enjoy this story, please follow and favorite. Uploads will be done every three days. Critics are welcome, as it helps me to better write my story. Please drop a review, and if you have ideas for future issues (currently have a plan up to Issue #20) please let me know and I'll see if I can accommodate the suggestions. That said, enjoy the story.