Chapter 42 – Robin's Rescue

Barely any light remained in the evening sky as Robin crouched outside the greenhouse, thinking. The fading light may not be ideal for scouting the exterior, but it did provide one advantage: outdoor camouflage. From inside an illuminated structure, darkness was an impenetrable shroud. That meant he could ratchet his way up onto the greenhouse roof and peer down without being seen.

But first, if his hunch was right, he needed to go roll around in some dirt.

The first thing Robin saw as he peered through the greenhouse roof was Batman, sitting at an odd angle, but still conscious. Following Batman's line of sight, Robin then spotted some red hair between some branches. No sooner did he see her when she lunged forward and injected something into Batman's shoulder.

Robin's eyes widened in horror. There was no time to waste, which meant crawling back down to use the front door wasn't an option. Rapidly skimming the rooftop, he found a vent panel he could lift. With Poison Ivy's back still turned on him, he might just be able to descend without her noticing. That is, if he could keep his hands and teeth from anxiously chattering.

It took him a couple minutes to rig his harness, double and triple-checking the apparatus. One false move and this would all end in total disaster. A tragic, pathetic end to his career on the same night it started.

At last Robin secured all the moving parts. Now to slide the vent out of the way, grip the cable for dear life, and lower himself into his first true encounter.

Inside was surprisingly quiet; there was no ambient noise, and Robin saw the circulation fans were decelerating as he entered. Poison Ivy's voice carried easily up to his ears.

"…just a few more minutes, and we'll be in business," she was saying to Bruce. "The mind-control injection will be in full effect, and the muscle relaxants won't be anymore."

"I don't get it," Bruce squinted, trying to delay the drug's effects. "You said you'd have pursued me earlier if you'd known I was inclined toward children. But if you just planned to drug me anyway, what difference does it make how 'inclined' I am?"

"Shh," she gingerly touched his lips. "No more questions. Just relax and wait. Soon I'll go wake up Selina, and she can watch us mate. A little treat before I dispose of her."

Sweat beaded across Bruce's face, from which Ivy had removed his hood. "And here I thought Joker was the most depraved villain of all."

"I suppose he's rubbed off on me after all these years. Such an inspiration," shrugged Ivy. "You could say Selina inspired me too. Seeing her pregnant made me realize there's only one person biologically worthy of mating with you, and that's me."

"I'll…" Bruce grunted, his head starting to spin. "I'll fight you with every last ounce of strength I have…"

"Wouldn't you rather spend your time daydreaming about our future children? How gloriously superior they'll be compared to the rest of humanity?" Ivy closed her eyes, enthralled with the idea. "Consider the power of combining your exceptional athleticism with my botanical advantages. We'll create the ultimate guardian of all things Green!"

Breathing heavily, Bruce clenched his eyes shut. He was slowly regaining control over his arms and legs, but a dull haze began creeping through his brain. It was like a thick curtain casting a shadow over all the names and faces he recognized. He fought to keep it from eclipsing the last slivers of his mind, but things just kept getting darker and darker.

"Very good Bruce, just breathe in and out, nice and steady," Ivy encouraged soothingly. "Now, I have a question for you: who is Selina?"

Selina… Selina… it was like an echo of a name he'd once heard, but…

"Who…?" he murmured.

"Yes," she purred in approval. "Don't worry about a thing. I'll be right back."

Robin watched as Ivy walked down a path flanked with shorter plants. It was now or never, he decided. Holding a lighter directly beneath one of the sprinkler heads, he triggered a system downpour, catching Ivy off-guard before he leapt down and tackled her.

"Who the hell are you?!" she sputtered as Robin clamped her wrists and ankles together with zip ties.

"Someone you didn't know existed!" he grunted, shoving her with his boot. "But now you do!"

An uncertain voice called out, "R-robin?"

"Batman!" the boy raced to his side. "Are you all right?"

"Yes and no," Bruce replied, holding his head. "I… recognize your voice, but your face is so blurry."

"Here," Robin hastily showed several vials he'd taken from Ivy. "Are any of these the antidote?"

"Find one with a… red cap."

"Got it!" Robin held it up. "Do you swallow it, or…?"

"It's not for me," Bruce heaved himself up with tremendous effort. "It's for Poison Ivy. Quickly, before she has the plants attack us!"

Good call, since the protective layer of dirt Robin used to avoid detection had all but rinsed off by now. The plants were indeed beginning to stir, bending and creeping toward the intruders with vile intent.

"Run, Robin!" shouted Bruce, knowing the boy stood a better chance than he did of slipping through the vines. His legs still felt like they were half-filled with sand.

Stumbling as he tried to outrun the murderous branches, Robin yanked one ankle free, only to find the other ensnared seconds later. Tenacious and defiant to the last, he kept wrenching himself free until he was within striking distance of Poison Ivy.

"What do I do now?" he called to Bruce.

"Pour it on her head, then run back as fast as you can!"

"NO!" Ivy screamed as Robin unplugged the vial. "No, please! Don't–"

The last of her desperate screams were silenced as her own neurotoxin spilled across her face, rendering her instantly unconscious. Every leaf and stem in the greenhouse ceased moving, falling limp at Robin's feet. He sprinted back to Bruce's side, covering his face with his cape.

"Well done," Bruce gripped the boy's shoulder with immense pride and gratitude. "Now let's go find your mother."