After another successful snag up of a minor jewelry heist, Kel bounded onwards across alleys when she heard her comms ringing in her ear, and she slowed down, landing on a rooftop perfectly, pressing the comms, "Hey, Alfred, another heist foiled, but no trace about that kidnapper yet. Looks-", before Alfred's voice replied urgently, "Lady Kel, Poppy's gone! Bruce called me, saying that he was held up, and when he got to Poppy's school, he couldn't find her!".
"WHAT!?", Kel shouted. Alfred's voice replied almost calmly yet worried, "I'm sorry, ma'am... Bruce is in dire straits himself at the moment. He's trying to talk to whoever last saw her. Apparently, one girl saw something but...".
"I'm on my way.", Kel said. "Obviously, Martha will have to be in public, but I'll try to track her down once we know... this kidnapper made the final mistake in his life...", Kel growled as Alfred nodded.
"I understand. Please, do try to be quick, I can't say for certain how much time she may have...", Alfred admitted as Kel sighed. Wasn't that the damned truth. None of the girls had appeared after being abducted, dead or alive which was one slight piece of comfort though the odds where it was going to get dark very quick.
Kel quickly made her way over to Poppy's school before finding a quiet place to turn back into Martha and finding Bruce's car that would have some spare clothes waiting for her as to not draw attention. Kel pulled out a spare key she had hidden in the right breast of her suit since the leotard with purple outer lining and dark blue filling in the rest was almost skintight considering that it had to stay molded to Martha's body proportions before shifting into Kel's.
Then Kel began to slowly shift back into Martha before she then threw on a fairly high-end social outfit; just to keep up the wealthy appearances and not cause anyone to truly try to put things together. "Be easier if I was the one giving questions.", Kel grumbled in Martha's head.
"Be easier if the police weren't on the hunt for us, remember?", Martha mentally replied back. Thanks to the last few months of the She-Hulk's more frequent appearances, the Gotham police were re-opening the file they once had about a large, green vigilante; though the MO of said person of interest certainly had changed since those first few appearances as the She Hulk still hadn't killed anyone since the mugger that murdered Thomas.
Still, Martha, Kel and the rest of the family wasn't going to take many chances with the police at the moment. Perhaps it could change but for the time being, She-Hulk would make sure to keep as far as she could from the police's reach.
After a minute, Martha walked into the school where Bruce was with the principal, a few teachers and one little blonde-haired girl. Martha quickly took Bruce into a hug before she turned to see the other adults. "What happened?", Martha asked, trying hard not to burst into hysterics over Poppy's abduction.
"Well, Mrs. Wayne...", the principal spoke. "Apparently, Poppy was trying to help Miss Michelle Willaims here... Uh, Michelle, please tell Poppy's mother what you said.".
Michelle took a shaky, deep breath as she looked scared and in tears, "I was walking together with Poppy since she pointed out that her big brother was late, maybe having extra credit or detention, so she wanted to accompany me...I didn't want to be alone on the way home either since we heard and knew some other girls being...taken, and we thought two would be harder...we came through the park that was between the schools, since it seemed like a shortcut than taking the long way...and then...", hiccupping and sobbing.
One of the teachers leaned down, rubbing Michelle's back, "Shh, it's okay. Breathe...you can do this..", as Martha nodded, "I am not mad at you or Poppy to think to stand together to protect yourselves like that...please, Michelle, what happened next?".
"I... I don't know...", Michelle admitted. "I... I remember that I was playing with some kids...", she said. "Then... I think... I saw these two men... they looked dressed like, weird kids..." She said. "They had those little helicopter hats.". Obviously, things sounded much more confusing than originally thought. If two men were involved, does it mean that this whole thing is a wider conspiracy?
"After that... I remember Poppy calling for me... I suddenly woke up; those two men nearly got me into their car... it... it looked weird; like a truck but all different colors and patterns. I found myself on the ground as they grabbed Poppy and dragged her in before closing and driving away.", Michelle sniffed.
Bruce replied, "Do you remember which way they went?", kneeling down not to intimidate the girl as he knew, due to his martial arts and roughing around with Waylon, he's rather broad-shouldered and all.
Michelle blinked, and replied, "Straight on the right off the curb, but there was so much smoke...I didn't see which way they went then at the light...I'm sorry, Mrs. Wayne...I...it happened so fast...".
"It's alright, Michelle...", Martha sighed as she looked at the principal. "We've already alerted the police, but; since Poppy's just the latest in a line of girls...", he admitted as Martha closed her eyes.
"I know, they're trying... but hopefully Michelle's words might narrow things down.", Martha said as she turned to Bruce. "Bruce, let's go home... I'm... I'm sure the police will catch those men soon.". Bruce could tell from her eyes that was just for the others in attendance: the truth was the She-Hulk was going to be hot on the trail instantly.
Bruce nodded, "Of course, Mother...come on, let me help...", taking Martha to his shoulder, as she acted like she's pale and devastated, and took her out of the principal's office, all the way out of school, and then traded looks as they got into Bruce's car, "The police will be canvassing it soon... let's get to one of the secret entrances to the Cave. We still got a couple hours before dark...we might have some camera shots.", as Bruce drove, glancing at Martha.
Martha narrowed her eyes, "Right, the traffic cameras...And to think, this was happening when Kel was nailing those guys off the jewelry heist in West Gotham!", with a sigh.
Bruce replied, "Mom, it's going to be okay...it wasn't your or Mama's fault. We will find her...". Martha nodded, "I know...wait, what do you mean by 'we'?", and Bruce averted his eyes.
"Bruce Thomas Wayne.", Martha sharply ordered as Bruce drove, clicking a button as he turned into a discreet alley, and he exhaled, "I counted all the girls, Mom. Counting Poppy, it's 42 girls. And now with the description of the men and the truck, especially with the girls' description, it sounds like a twisted version of Alice in Wonderland, and 42 is the favorite number in the book...a truck transporting, it must be a big building to keep all those girls...and you need my help to get the girls out...those two guys wouldn't be alone...".
Martha gave him a look. She knew he was smart, but that was almost a bit frightening of how quickly he was able to piece together a strong theory. "Okay, Bruce, first of all, you're sure it's a Wonderland connection?", she asked as Bruce nodded.
"It's the only one that truly makes sense. Two men wearing helicopter caps... the girl mentioned one or two other details: bright color overalls, plus the colors and patterns on their vehicle. Odds are the two men are acting like Tweedledee and Tweedledum.", Bruce explained.
"No wonder the police wouldn't make many leads then...", Martha bit her lip. "Still, that doesn't fully explain how the girl suddenly went... blank in the mind.".
"Still trying to work that out.", Bruce admitted. "Any number of theories; hypnosis, chemical stimulants...", with a frown. "God, they'd be giving little girls drugs?", Martha was almost disgusted to say that.
"Might be how they could easily get the girls. Guess they just didn't count on Poppy being quite the lookout and getting involved.", Bruce replied.
"Right... and the other thing, Bruce?", Martha raised her eyebrow. "What exactly are you planning that involves you coming along?".
Bruce said, "I am going to be another vigilante hero. It's one thing with small-time thugs and all for Mama, but this is major. And no, you ain't going to stop me, Mom. I need to do this...I know Dad told me to stay in the tree and all when Poppy got swept away, but I felt so damn helpless...like how I was when he got shot...and now this... I can't be left behind a third time!", slamming his hands on the wheel as the secret entrance closed after them, and the car revved through some of the old city's railway that had become into a road and turned out into the bridge, and then used another secret entrance to the caverns, mainly the 'Cave', the main base underneath Wayne Manor. There are other several secret entrances in other areas of the city and the countryside. And of course, years of Wayne money and discreet work had seen to it.
"Bruce...", Martha shook her head. "Look, I know how you feel, but you have to understand why I'm very much not wanting this for you... Kel's taken a lot of abuse; struck by objects, shot, and come off completely unscathed. The same can't be said for you."
"Which is why I had decided to do a different route with things. If Mama can charge right out in front in the open and take whatever is thrown; then it's better for me to strike from the shadows, to be almost all but invisible...", Bruce said.
Martha blinked before she narrowed her eyes, "You went behind my back with Lucius Fox, haven't you?".
Bruce replied, "I am 19, and besides, I have to take over the company at 21, Mom, thanks to Dad's will. Lucius and Aunt Leslie worked together with Aunt Leslie telling him that it's army experiment testing. And no, Alfred didn't know.".
"Yet Poppy and Waylon knew?", Martha looked at him sharply with a pinch of her lips. "Poppy... I swear, her intelligence is almost scary at times; she thinks way more than anyone her age. My guess might be a side effect from the gamma treatment in genes down from Mama.", Bruce said.
"That was my thought as well.", Martha agreed. "And in that case, she was able to put things together pretty quick.", Bruce commented
Martha nodded slowly, "And Waylon?", and Bruce smiled sheepishly, "He knew some areas where we could actually box and mock fight around the woods and all...I had to get an idea how to handle guys my weight and more.".
"And obviously, he wasn't going to do all that until he got an answer, right?", Martha raised an eyebrow as Bruce nodded. "Like we've said before, stubborn.", Bruce shrugged as Martha took a deep breath, "Bruce...".
"I know, Mother, I know, but... this is just something that I feel like I need to do.", Bruce told her. "Besides, it might better help Poppy and the other kidnapped girls if at least some was focused entirely on saving them while someone else focused their attention on getting the kidnappers."
Martha blinked in surprise at her son, knowing that Bruce almost never used the term of Mother until for social parties and in serious situations, as he always used Mom otherwise, and exhaled as Bruce finally made it through one of the carved roadways of the cavern into the Cave, on the lower level.
He parked his public car, knowing that Alfred would take it to a secret elevator to the Wayne garage, and looked, waiting for Martha's answer, and she looked at him, "You better understand that this is no fun and games, Bruce. You must be alert, and you must promise me that you will keep on open communication with Kel as she turns into tracking mode and all, and most of all, do not underestimate or overestimate distractions or anything else around you, is that clear, Bruce Thomas Wayne?", one part screaming at her to shield and keep her son safe while another part is proud of her son, how much he has grown up to be his own man, having morals of Martha, Kel, and Thomas.
"I understand.", Bruce said as he took a deep breath. "Trust me, I won't try to take any unnecessary chances."
"Good; leave that to Kel.", Martha chuckled, considering that still after all this time, it seemed like there was little in the way to do any sort of harm to Kel. Heaven knows that some folks have tried; especially those armed to the teeth the few times she has come across.
Kel's mental voice growled, "They better not lethally harm our son and daughter.", and Martha mentally agreed with her mate there on that point.
They then got out of Bruce's public car, and they then used a zip pole to get to the upper floor, landing perfectly, and headed to the computer console where Alfred is turning around in the chair, "Took a bit of time, but I believe I got the security cameras at the traffic light by Poppy's school.", as Martha took off her wealthy clothes, glad that Alfred had told the staff up top when they come to work their jobs weekly that her outfit is a swimsuit at times and occasionally her gym outfit, as many girls and women wear similar designs and colors in different sizes, anyway.
Martha narrowed her eyes, "Right, pardon me, Alfred.", and Alfred got out of the seat as Martha took it from him, and then glanced at Bruce, "You better change. Time's ticking.", with a sharp look.
Bruce nodded, "Yes, ma'am...Will be intimidating, just warning you.", before heading to a wall, scanning his hand, and a door opened before he went into it, and the door closed behind him, and Alfred blinked curiously yet calmly, "Looks like we have another Wayne taking precedence, Lady Martha.".
Martha's hands clicked and danced across the computer console, "Would you honestly tell me that you want to protect your son yet be proud of him at the same time if Waylon came into being a vigilante too?".
Alfred looked back to where Bruce had gone before sighing, "Yes... you would be right... I honestly wouldn't wish it though, for him to be in harm's way.".
"It's a big city, Alfred. And Bruce is smart enough to know what his strengths and weaknesses are. Obviously, Kel truly is the most suited to this, considering she can shrug off a whole shotgun blast at pointblank and be fine... was scary to have that happen one time... right in the head too. Should've instantly killed anyone yet she didn't even get a scratch.", Martha said.
"Stung like hell though; like a bunch of bees stinging you all at the same time.", Kel's voice echoed in Martha's head. "True. Still, I won't lie that I'm not truly in favor for all of this; I don't think I'll ever fully except it but, I understand the need. At least with you, ma'am.", Alfred said, and Martha smiled as she looked over to him.
"Thank you, Alfred... now then...", Martha replied, and then turned her attention back to the screen. "Let's see if we can get a decent idea where they've gone...".
At the same time, Poppy groaned as she was feeling herself coming off of being unconscious and quite the fog in her mind as she was slow to open her eyes. "Ugh... where... where am I...?", she muttered as she could hear some music; quite strange and almost manic in some way with kazoos, pipes and chimes.
She shivered as she came to realize that she got changed from her school clothes to a short blue dress with white ruffles, a white apron, and as she moved, she winced in pain, her eyes widening as she saw that she is chained on the left hand to the ground, and her right ankle is chained to a iron ball, heavy and thick.
And then she realized that she is at a long, yet short table, with all kinds of food that could be found at a tea table, and she tried to adjust her hair when she felt a wig of different textured hair over her natural hair, seeing golden locks.
She heard faint whimpering and murmurs far off in the darkness, sounding like other children, feeling watched by presences, and then she startled when she heard a chortling, strange voice, "Ah, our guest is awake! Quick, set the camera! Ah, good, good, now it's teatime, for the 42nd take, or is it our 42nd Alice? Oh, silly me!", as she tried to see through the darkness before suddenly, lights came on, and a screen came down before the table, with a large chair at the head of the table with her on the side, revealing a sort of twisted house background, like...like Ronald Dahl and Lewis Carroll altogether.
"Who's there?", Poppy asked as she was trying to free herself; obviously her mind was in complete panic for many reasons but was also trying to figure her way out of this, "What is this?".