Chapter 24: Field Trip Mayhem Part 1
It was 7:50am at Gotham Academy and all the kindergartners were gathered together at the front with several large yellow school buses. Today was the kindergarten field trip to the Gotham Zoo and Botanical Gardens and all the kids buzzed with excitement as their parents dropped them off and made sure they had everything. Though none were quite as thorough with their check as Bruce Wayne.
"Do you have your water?"
"Yes."
"Your hat?"
"It's on my head."
"Your lunch?"
"Right here."
"What about your lockâ"
"Daddy! You already asked me all this before we left home!" Dick whined annoyed by his fathers over cautiousness.
"Huuhhh I know Dickie, I'm just making sure you have everything." Bruce said, trying to cover up he was feeling major separation anxiety.
It didn't seem to matter what the situation was Bruce hated being separated from his child for extended periods of time. With his paranoid personality he couldn't help but assume the worst scenario would happen, even the thought that the following school year would be full day 1st grade freaked him out to an extreme degree. Bruce had tried to become a chaperone on the field trip but a very important meeting with the league got in the way.
"Alright everyone it's time to get on the buses, remember to stay with your groups and listen to your chaperones!" A teacher announced.
"Dick come on, my mommy is waiting over there!" Barbara called out to Dick since they were both in a group together with her mom as chaperone.
"I'm coming, I gotta go daddy I love you!" Dick said as he kissed his daddy's cheek and hugged him one last time.
"I love you too Dickie, have fun and remember to listen to everything Mrs. Gordon tells you." Bruce instructed as he returned the hug and kiss.
With that the two waved goodbye and Dick boarded the bus with all the other kindergartners. Bruce watched with bated breath as the bus started and drove off taking with it his most precious treasure. Once it left the parking lot he took a deep breath and proceeded to walk away, knowing he needed to get going if he was going to make it on time to his meeting.
On the Bus
As the bus drove the kindergartners inside we're just as loud and happy as expected. Together they sang funny little songs, played games, and talked with their fellow classmates. Dick and Barbara had a particularly good time together as they got to sit by each other the entire way and get snacks from Barbara's mom. Eventually the ruckus was brought to a stop as the bus finally arrived at the Gotham Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Mrs. Altomare made her way to the front of the bus to get the kindergartner's attention to make some important announcements.
"Alright boys and girls now that we're at the zoo it's very important you stay with your groups. As we get off the buses go to your chaperones so they can count you and make sure everyone in your group is present. Then they will give each one of you a special sticker name tag to represent your group as well as to make sure you don't get lost and mixed up. Now you and your groups are free to go anywhere in the zoo and gardens but you have to stick together. We have until 2pm to explore so use your time wisely and listen to your chaperones. Now everyone go have fun and be safe, I better not hear of anyone having bad behavior."
With that all the kindergartners rushed to get off the bus as quickly as possible, gathering in their groups as instructed. Dick's groups consisted of him, Barbara, Charlie, Pamela, and Trevor. Once Mrs. Gordon got a good count of her group she gave each child an adorable lion sticker with each of their names neatly printed on them.
"Yay we gotta lion, that's my favorite!" Charlie cheered excitedly.
"Yay lions are cool rawr!" Dick chimed in.
"They sure are boys, now where does everyone want to go today?" Mrs. Gordon asked to help keep all the kids on task.
"I wanna see the birdies mommy!" Barbara squealed.
"I wanna see the pretty flowers!" Pamela, a dark haired little Japanese girl, announced.
"I wanna see the monkeys, ohhh ah ah!" Trevor declared as he energetically imitated a monkey.
"I wanna see the turtles!" Charlie said happily.
"I wanna see the wolves!" Dick answered excitedly.
"Alrighty then, hmmm let's see we can start with monkeys since their exhibit is right at the front. Then we will see the birds, turtles, wolves, flowers, and we can see what else we have time for from there. Is that ok with everyone?"
"Yeah!" Everyone cheered in unison.
"Good, now come on my little lion cubs, we have lots to see!" Mrs. Gordon said as she led the way forward with her cubs in tow.
Little did they know just how much they would see that day, for unbeknownst to them a sinister plan was a foot.
The Watchtower
Meanwhile the Justice League meeting was taking place in attendance was the core seven members along with the upper rank heroes of Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Doctor Fate, the Atom, Captain Marvel, Zatara, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Captain Atom, Red Tornado, Firestorm, Plastic Man, and Vixen.
At the moment Green Lantern was giving a briefing of all the concerns they were going to discuss in the meeting. However Batman barely paid attention as he anxiously tapped his fingers on his thigh. He couldn't stop thinking about how his child was not under his supervision during his first field trip. He of course trusted Mrs. Gordon, but that didn't keep him from worrying about his baby boy.
"Batman! Batman, seriously stop that!" Superman whispered to Batman as his super hearing made him hear the anxious tapping.
"Stop what?" Batman asked stoically.
"Your anxious tapping that you haven't stopped for the last thirty minutes. Geesh what has got you all tense?" Superman asked, exasperated by the dark night's cryptic nature.
"It is just tapping, that is all." Batman said begrudgingly.
"It's about Robin isn't it?" Superman asked bluntly.
"Not... exactly, it's his first field tripâ and I simply am curious if he is safe." Batman answered cryptically.
"Really a field trip, that's what you're worried about? Conner just had one and he came back more than fine. Good Lord Batman, you need to stop worrying so much." Superman chuckled trying to stifle any loud laughter.
"Eh hem, Superman do you have something you'd like to share with everyone?" Green Lantern asked, annoyed at the kryptonians interruption.
"No Green Lantern! Please continue!" Superman said flushed with embarrassment.
"That's what I thought now as I was sayingâ."
Superman straightened up in his seat as to show he was paying attention, but still continued to hear Batman's anxious tapping. Sighing with acceptance he kept inside a knowing chuckle, knowing all too well now his friend's paternal anxiety and that nothing could change that no matter how old his child got. Oh well that was a concern for another day for now they had their meeting, but little did they know how much a single field trip would affect their day.
Gotham Zoo
Dick and Barbara looked with wide eyes against the glass of the aquarium. They ooohed and awwed at the diverse array of aquatic life, filled with wonder as they saw just about every fish imaginable. All their fellow group members felt the same though Pamela was getting impatient as they were nearing her requested destination of the flower garden. They so far had visited the monkeys, birds, lions, and wolves leaving the little girl more than ready to see her request.
"Mrs. Gordon, are we going to the garden yet!?" Pamela asked anxiously.
"In just a minute sweetheart, it's just down the hall from here." Mrs. Gordon assured the patient little girl.
For five more minutes the kindergartners admired the aquarium, and then they finally went to the garden. As soon as they entered the bright sunshine filled room they were blown away by how beautiful the garden truly was. Flowers of every kind were growing in various places as butterflies flew freely from each bud and bloom. It was like a heavenly rainbow surrounded them greeting each of their senses with pure delight. Mrs. Gordon allowed the children free reign of the garden since it wasn't very large but told them to be careful not to touch anything or go anywhere they couldn't easily see her.
Each agreeing to the terms the five kindergartners split off to go explore. Dick and Barbara split off to go look at the rose section fascinated by it's array of multicolored flower, but we're careful to observe Mrs. Gordon's rule as to not be pricked by the thorns. The remaining three more or less went off on their own, each far too interested in different aspects of the garden.
For ten minutes all seemed fine and safe, it was just an ordinary kindergarten field trip. That was till Pamela saw something weird in the shadier part of the garden.
She was simply admiring the wisteria trees when she saw an abnormally large and strange looking vine wiggling in the corner. Curious as to what it was, the little girl walked closer towards it and crouched to get a better look at it. The vine had weird yellow glowing veins and it was wiggling like a human would their own arm. Not knowing any better Pamela reached out to touch it only the moment her hand came in contact with the vine it threw her back making her cry in pain.
"Pamela! What happened?" Mrs. Gordon cried as she ran over to the little girl.
"I sawâthis thisâweird plant and I went to touch itâandâ." Pamela tried to say between her sobs before she was interrupted by a giant version of the vine she saw shooting up towards the ceiling.
Screams erupted from the guests in the garden as the vine sprouted and grew bigger turning into a large plant with tentacle-like vines. All the kids froze in place with fear except Dick who was frozen with anxiety as to who was behind this and how he was going to get his classmates out of the oncoming situation. Soon the plant blocked off all the exits of the zoo and looked like a mutated octopus from a sky view. Once the plant stopped growing a pale green woman with red hair, dark green markings on her skin, and a leafy unitard walked out of the shadows.
"Look how big my baby has gotten, it's just beautiful!" Poison Ivy cried out proudly.
"It's a beautiful baby plant, Ivy, gotta make sure it's fed real well!" Joker yelled out with a cackle as he walked out of the shadows as well.
Dick was internally freaking out as not one but two of Gotham's most dangerous super villains gathered in the same place. However it only got worse as both a bright orange flash and lightning flash blinded those in the garden. As everyone recovered they saw the villains Wotan and Black Adam appear, both flying in the air.
"There is nothing to worry about the mixture of Ivy's powers, my enchantments, and the Cobra venom should ensure its maximum strength and growth." Wotan assured.
"I believe that's enough focus on the plant, we must not forget our overall objective." Count Vertigo said as he appeared from an entrance in the garden.
"No need to worry, Count, Ultra Humanite and Atomic Skull are already gathering the rest of them, but we better gather all the kiddies and adults here too! Wouldn't want them to miss out on the fun would we!" Joker chuckled madly as he started walking towards Pamela and Mrs. Gordon.
"Don't you dare touch her, she's a little girl! Why are you doing this?!" Mrs. Gordon yelled as she protectively positioned her body to keep Pamela safe.
"No need to worry dearie we won't harm youâyet!" Joker cackled as he pulled out his knife.
"Precisely, for the time being you and every man, woman, and child in this zoo will be our hostages. We know many of the richest and influential people in Gotham's children and wives are here today, so we hope to use you as leverage to gain a great deal of money and power ourselves." Count Vertigo said very menacingly with a wicked smirk.
"So cooperate and I won't have to use my babies to harm you." Poison Ivy added.
"So go where we tell you, woman!" Black Adam bellowed from above.
Knowing there was not much she could do and that she had to keep the kids safe Mrs. Gordon complied.
"Kids come here, stay close to me, and do whatever these people tell you!" Mrs. Gordon called out.
Immediately all the kids in Dick's group ran to Mrs. Gordon's side, many on the verge of tears as they held onto her clothes burying their faces into them.
"Very good boys and girls, now behave or we're gonna have to punish you." Joker said with his usual creepy smile.
Within minutes all the kindergartners on the field trip as well as all the other attendees of the zoo were gathered in the Gardens, each group escorted by Ultra Humanite and Atomic Skull as they held mini guns and Skulls toxic beam to their backs. Eventually everyone was held in the gardens and found them face to face with their captors.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, we are the Injustice League and we thank you for your cooperation. Now there is no need to fear as long as you continue to cooperate and heed all our demands. While you were gathered here we made a ransom of 50 million dollars to the US government for your safe return. If they fail to do so within the next 24 hours, we will unleash our lovely plant here on the world and you. It is both carnivorous and releases a toxic gas lethal to humans so I hope for your sake the ransom comes." Count Vertigo explained.
The explanation elicited a mix of responses as people cried, yelled, and expressed their outrage. Much of Dick's class were crying, all the teachers trying to comfort and calm the poor little ones down.
"To ensure there are no unexpected hitches, we ask that all you who have cellphones turn them in now. Anyone caught with a cellular device or found trying to escape will be dealt with in a manner we see fit. So hand them over to our comrades coming around with the bags, if you know what's good for you." Poison Ivy chimed in.
Joker, Ultra Humanite, Atomic Skull, and Black Adam came around with burlap sacks in their hands collecting all the cell phones that were offered to them. They even took Dick's, though the boy had every intention of giving it either way, not wanting to put his classmates in danger. As the collecting went on Dick started to formulate a plan to help get everyone to safety. But it was difficult to think of as he was just one little boy, what could he really do?
It was then a thought came to his head as Dick remembered about his locket. It wasn't just a tracker it was also a homing beacon for it he was in danger. Digging it out of his shirt Dick discreetly opened it and pressed the tiny red button behind the picture of his father. He then quickly put it back under his shirt knowing while help was on the way he needed to do something to help the situation so he let himself think for a while to hopefully think of something.
The Watchtower
The meeting was finally coming to a close and no one could have been more relieved. For a few minutes everyone just stood around and talked, except for Batman who sat and contemplated all that was discussed. However midway through his thoughts the bat symbol on his utility belt started buzzing. Batman's heart immediately began to pound as he knew only one thing could cause that. With tremendous speed Bruce pulled the bat symbol off and was faced with his greatest paternal nightmare, the danger button had been pressed on Dick's locket but the homing signal wasn't working.
As if the watchtower was reading his mind the crisis alarms started to go off. Everyone immediately became alert and turned their attention to the screens in the room as they provided footage of the crisis. It was a news cast from Gotham and images of a large monstrous plant surrounding a facility came up.
"It has just come in that just an hour ago the Gotham Zoo and Botanical Gardens was seized by a criminal group calling themselves the Injustice League. Sources have informed us the group consisted of seven super villains including Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra Humanite, Black Adam, Atomic Skull, Wotan, and their leader the controversial Count Vertigo of Vatlava.
It has been reported that the Injustice League is currently holding hostage all the patrons and has demanded a ransom of 50 million dollars to the US government for their return. The crime group has warned authorities if there is any interference or the ransom is not paid in the next 24 hours that they will release the weaponized plant created by them on the hostages and the world.
Currently the Gotham police force are surrounding the facility trying to find a way toâwait a minute just in video footage from our field reporters helicopter as well as citizen reports have identified the hostages. It appears amongst regular patrons of the zoo, a kindergarten field trip from the Gotham preparatory academy. Amongst the kindergartners are the children of some of the most powerful, influential, and wealthiest of Gotham including the wife and daughter of Commissioner Gorden as well as son billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne.
We are still receiving and searching for more updates on the situation, but we will strive to keep details flowing as we receive them."
As the news and images continued to flow on, everyone was silent for a minute straight. Then the absolute largest freak out came to pass as they all tried to come up with ideas on how to save the League angel and his classmates. Plans were frantically thrown about as updates on what was happening were demanded. Eventually the tension and fear in the room came to a head as Batman stood.
"Enough! Everyone calm down, we don't have time to argue, we need to work together to come up with a solution!" Batman yelled calmly but loudly.
As emotions ran high many league members were ready to rip into Batman for his audacity to call for calm till they saw his clenched fists shaking. Immediately they understood that the Bat was just as, if not more, worried and afraid, after all this was his son.
"Then what is the plan Batman, how do we rescue those kids from this Injustice League?" Wonder Woman spoke up calmly.
"I have an idea but it is full of risk, so I need everyone to listen closely."
Everyone immediately became silent knowing if they wanted to save the youngest member of the Justice League they were going to have to be careful.