Guo Xin's back. Probably go back to Si Heng in the next chapter. Yeah yeah, I know I'm deviating away from Si Heng...I don't think the term "hypocrite" should be used to describe Si Heng...Why bother speaking nicely over MSN and then do an entire 180 degree turn of attitude at school? I wish it would stop...I've had enough...

Chapter 7

"Why are you doing this you milfilicious bitch?"

Pamela stepped down from her floral throne.

"Well because it is Kisho's wish...And partly mine considering your treacheries..."

Joshua Linton looked up, suspended in the air by the many vines coiled around him.

"Without these so-called treacheries...Gotham's economy would be bust!"

"I do not care!" Pamela hissed.

The plants around them reiterated Pamela's displeasure in a form of violent rustling. Pamela pointed at Joshua with a finger.

"You...Lecherous fool...Who have caused the destruction of so many forests for your own selfish gains...Hmph! Sex...Well...I will make you suffer..."

A sinister-looking vine rose beside Joshua and started to twine itself around Joshua's head. The vine had ternate almond-shaped leaflets sprouting all over and clusters of white flowers blooming.

"Wh-What is this?" Joshua asked with trepidation.

"Leaves of three...Let them be...Flowers white...Poisonous sight...Touch-them-not...Or trouble's sought...For you see...Poison Ivy..." Pamela chanted slowly.

"Get it away from me!" Joshua yelled.

"Itch my dear...You know...Poison Ivy's toxic agent urushiol...So clever...It turns the body's immune system against itself...It infiltrates...And then causes the chaos...Nevertheless...The itch is rather unbearable..."

Joshua's shouts were muffled by the vine as it continued twining around Joshua's entire body.

"Tata! I've got more visits to make!" Pamela said laughing with derision.

*

"Hello? Dr. Light?" Guo Xin asked.

"Yes speaking. And you are?"

"Guo Xin. As in high school Guo Xin. I need to meet you urgently."

"Oh Guo Xin! How long has it been? Five years? Wow...And yeah, what's the matter?"

"Can't risk talking on the phone. You're still at your lab?"

"Yeah why?"

"Good. I'll send someone to bring you to my place."

Guo Xin hung up. He wondered if anyone had been listening to the conversation. That was why he did not go into specifics.

Haruko appeared in the doorway of the room.

"So? You contacted him?"

Guo Xin nodded.

"Yes. He's coming. But...I don't know if he'll be safe..."

Haruko walked to Guo Xin's side and held his head, turning his face to face hers.

"He will be." Haruko said as she kissed Guo Xin gently on the lips.

*

Kisho's brow creased with worry as he surveyed the feed his supercomputer received.

So...Guo Xin's enlisting the help of Howl...Now this is a problem...

"Phone. Dial Isley."

"Dialing Pamela Isley...Connection established." said the cold, mechanic voice of the computer.

Three floors below, Pamela's cellular phone rang.

"Hello? Kisho...I was just getting dressed!"

"Sorry Pamela. But there seems to be a problem."

"What problem?" Pamela asked as she wielded the miniature crossbow and loaded it.

"Haruko and Guo Xin."

"Yes? What about them?"

Pamela put on her dark green boots with stiletto heels and sprayed herself with some Atlas.

"Apparently, they've invited Dr. Howl Light over for tea."

"And?"

"Well Dr. Light is an old classmate of mine. Just that he's not on the list because we haven't...crossed paths. But that doesn't mean he can interfere with our plans. Check your compact. I've just sent you information him. He can be dangerous so be prepared."

Pamela picked up her handheld compact and pressed a fingerprint-sensitive button in a special compartment below the rouge as she applied some on her face. The mirror seemed to come alive as it flashed once before displaying details of Dr. Light.

"You received the data?"

"Yes yes Kisho...Photonics? He's an expert on photonics?"

"That's why he's dangerous. Recently he's been working on some laser project on teleportation. But apparently it hasn't been much of a success. But still-"

"I get the picture. Lasers aren't exactly beneficial to my plants. But maybe they will in time...Things will still go as planned then. Send me the blueprints of Guo Xin's residence. I'll be there shortly...After my preparations."

*

Howl Light sipped his tea once more. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"And so we believe Kisho is working with Poison Ivy now." Guo Xin concluded.

Howl sipped even more tea.

"Wow...This is simply too much for me to digest...I mean...Kisho? He's clever but working with this...this Poison Ivy?"

"Pamela Isley. That's Poison's Ivy real name." Haruko added.

"Pamela Isley...That sounds familiar...Oh! That graduate from Yale! I saw her at the "Brilliant Minds" convention. That was years ago...She specialised in...Cellular Biology I think...Biochemistry...She was working for some pharmaceutical company..." Howl said as he tried to recall more about Pamela Isley.

"Goodness...Don't you even know who's Poison Ivy? That prominent eco-terrorist? You must really stop being so nerdy...She uses poisons to commit her crimes. And quite dangerous...She was the one who murdered Batman with a fatal kiss." Guo Xin said.

Haruko filled her cup with more tea.

"Tea for you?" Haruko offered.

"Er...No thanks." Howl answered.

"Anyway, back to the focus. Haruko thinks nothing good will come out of a partnership between her brother and Poison Ivy-"

"Half-brother!" Haruko shrieked.

"Yes and that's because?" Howl asked.

"Well...My dear half-brother specialises in plant genetics and toxicology. He's also well-versed in a few forms of martial arts...Plus the added fact the he has an abundance of technological and financial resources..."

"As for Poison Ivy, she probably knows more about plants than anyone in the world. And like you mentioned, cellular biology and biochemistry. A deadly duo if you ask me." Guo Xin said.

"So?"

"Well we suspect that my half-brother, Kisho, somehow acquired Pamela Isley's cell implant technology and helped her escape from Arkham Asylum. I've checked with Arkham. They found that the items belonging to Poison Ivy in the 'Confiscated highly dangerous items' section missing. This means that Poison Ivy's back on track with her toxins and they're probably up to no good now..."

"Kisho? Kisho from high school?" Howl asked.

"Yes, that's him." Guo Xin said in a sullen tone.

"But how does all this concern me?" Howl asked.

"What's the main reason of Kisho's vindictiveness in school? Can you remember?" Guo Xin asked, a scowl marring his handsome face.

Howl paused for a moment and poured himself another cup of tea.

"Joshua I suppose...And there was Shawn...Si Heng? I'm not sure about Lester..." Howl said, ticking names off his fingers.

"Exactly. So if he's with Poison Ivy...Who knows what he will do to all of us?"

Haruko stood up.

"I'll go take a bath." Haruko said.

"But...It's been so long...I don't really remember much...We were young...We didn't think..." Howl said slowly.

"And Kisho was younger. He was the youngest."

"And so now he's back for revenge?"

"That's Haruko's presumption."

The phone rang, the shrill ringing puncturing the stillness of the conversation. Guo Xin answered the phone, expression grave as he continued listening. He nodded a few times before ending the call.

"Joshua Linton's missing." Guo Xin said.

"What?"

"Joshua Linton. Affectionately known as Josh in high school."

"Josh? I'd never forget him! He was the only one that made our lessons alive!" Howl exclaimed with recognition, a smile forming slowly as he remembered how Joshua Linton used to make teachers' lives hell.

"And he's gone." Guo Xin cut in.

Howl looked at Guo Xin, expression a blend of seriousness and curiosity.

"The authorities only found two dead prostitutes and a gun with Josh's fingerprints. Josh and his bodyguards were nowhere to to be found." Guo Xin said.

"Is Josh the only one? What about the others? Si Heng? Shawn? Lester?" Howl asked anxiously.

Haruko entered the room, donning a traditional kimono with her hair in a coiffured style and decorated with kanzashi, hair ornaments that accompanied a kimono.

Guo Xin seem dazzled by Haruko for a moment before he returned his gaze to Howl.

"Josh's the only one so far thankfully...But anyone of us could be next. So I propose we unite for the time being until Poison Ivy and Kisho is apprehended. You know...Safety in numbers."

"I hope we're all prepared." Haruko said suddenly.

"I'll need to go back to the lab then. I can't abandon my research." Howl said.

"I can set up a lab here in my house. Would you mind moving in?" Guo Xin asked.

There was a soft thunk behind them.

"I'd love to." said a female voice.

Haruko recognised the voice instantly.

"Did I spoil your little tea-party?" Pamela asked in a babyish voice.

By that time, Guo Xin and Howl had also turned to face Pamela.

"Ivy." Guo Xin muttered.

"Isley." Howl said with fear.

"Pamela." Haruko said with determination.

Pamela moved closer towards the trio, predatory stare never leaving them.

"Don't come any closer." Haruko said coldly.

Pamela gave her a mock sympathetic look.

"Awww...Afraid of your previous mentor?" Pamela asked as she took another step towards them.

Haruko's eyes lit up as she inhaled sharply.

"I told you. Stop." Haruko said warningly.

Pamela's laughter resounded across the room before she smirked at Haruko.

"And what're you going to do? Run away like the last time? The only reason I never hunted you down was because I didn't have the time. I had to complete my research before Mother Nature completely faded away." Pamela answered hatefully.

Pamela took a step forward.

And with one swift, fluid and well-practised move, Haruko removed both of her kogai from her hair, holding each in one hand and threw them at Pamela.

Pamela's eyes widened with surprise but reacted almost instantly. She bended backwards, executing a bridge as the lethally-sharp ornamental hairpins flew over her, missing her narrowly. She then swung her legs upwards and over her body before they landed behind her, raising her body then as she assumed normal standing posture once more.

"Shuriken-jutsu?" Pamela asked.

"Gymnastics?" Haruko asked too.

"I never knew." Pamela said.

"Neither did I." Haruko said as well.

Haruko then ripped off the outer covering of her obi, the sash worn with her kimono, to reveal a set of several shining star-shaped metal plates with a hole in the center and sharpened edges, the four point hira-shuriken.

"More? It doesn't matter. I have literally, razor leaves..." Pamela said.

As if they heard Pamela, several leafy plants with pods burst into the room, shattering the glass windows. A shoot punctured the carpet floor below Pamela and lifted her up whilst growing taller and taller.

Haruko's hand moved to the deadly star-shaped blades as she unsheathed a katana that was also concealed in the obi with her other hand.

"Take cover. Someone's about to get hurt." Haruko said to Guo Xin and Howl.

"So it's just you my dear Haruko against the explosive action of my plants?" Pamela asked as Guo Xin and Howl got behind the sofa.

Haruko did not reply but just continued glaring at Pamela.

"So be it then. Fire away my dears!" Pamela instructed as the plants under her grew a protective layer of leaves and branches around Pamela.

The other plants with pods shuddered for a moment before the topmost pods exploded. Hundreds of seeds with razor-sharp wing-like structures made of wood flew in every direction. Some got stuck in the walls while most were standing rigid in the carpet floor. The chandelier crashed to the ground as a few seeds sliced its supporting cables and the crystal shattered into smithereens. Guo Xin and Howl were safe behind the sofa but the sofa had been impaled with many seeds. Haruko was still standing, breathing heavily as her body rose and fell in succession. She wielded the katana in front of her and appeared to be fine apart from some minor cuts.

Pamela eyes burned with rage. She had witnessed Haruko's prowess. Haruko had single-handedly deflected the deadly seeds with the impressive display of swordplay using her katana. Pamela looked at the protective layer of plants in front of her. Seven flat, thin plates had impaled the layer. Haruko had even managed to throw the hira-shuriken at her. The protective layer parted as pink petals took its place. Pamela stood atop the engorged blossom.

"You dare throw those cold, grey creations of Man at my plants?" Pamela asked agitatedly.

Haruko smiled as a drop of sweat trickled down her brow.

"Not so tough now huh?" Haruko said in between heavy breaths.

Pamela gave a contumelious snort.

"Who's not so tough? Take this!" Pamela screamed.

Pamela raised an arm and swung it at Haruko. In sync, several vines burst out of the ground and lashed out at Haruko. Haruko held her katana with both hands, ready to combat the fiendish vines.

There was a loud beep and the vines fell to the ground, severed from the main plant. Pamela stared at the fallen vines whose ends were still smoking.

"What?" Pamela exclaimed with surprise.

The severed ends of the main plant were still smoking as Pamela looked at them. She soon made the connection.

"Dr. Howl Light. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...I should have known..." Pamela said.

Howl stood behind the sofa, holding a small black cylindrical device of some sort with his outstretched hand. He aimed it threatening at Pamela.

"Class 4 lasers Dr. Isley. You're no fool. I don't need to explain them to you." Howl said breathlessly.

Pamela fluffed a hand through her hair.

"Incidentally Dr. Light...Do you know about 'blooming'?" Pamela asked.

"Why...Why yes. It's an effect...That causes the laser to defocus. Thus losing energy to the atmosphere..."

"Good. Fumes."

"Fumes? If there's the presence of fumes...The 'blooming' will more severe..."

"Good to know that as well! Toodles!" Pamela said, flashing a smile.

The remaining pods on the plants exploded, releasing opaque amber fumes. At the same time, the flower Pamela was in closed up, swallowing Pamela as the entire plant shrank back into the floor and then the soil, moving back to Kisho's headquarters.

Haruko coughed slightly but was unaffected by the thick fumes of Kolokol-1, a fast-acting incapacitating agent, due to the cell implants in her body. Haruko then dragged the now-unconscious Guo Xin and Howl Light out of the room and shut the doors so as to give them fresh air. She walked over to the wall and pressed a button for ventilation on a control panel.

Haruko removed the cumbersome kimono, now clad in a black ninja outfit. She looked at the unconscious men on the ground and wondered what the outcome would be if Pamela had used a lethal agent such as chlorine gas instead of Kolokol-1. She knew that Pamela had not forgiven her for running away and helping her enemies. She also knew that although Pamela was defeated this time, she would be back, and stronger.

Have been thinking after reassessing some classmates...And I felt like writing so here's Chapter 6.

Chapter 6

The exterior of The Gotham Royale displayed its grandeur in the form of a diverse array of neon lights and gigantic luminous banners. The front of the massive hundred-floor hotel was brightly illuminated by the chandeliers hanging in the hotel lobby. A sleek black limousine pulled in at the hotel entrance and the hotel valet stationed there immediately went over to offer assistance.

"Bonsoir Monsieur, Est-ce que je peux vous aider?"

"Alors...Peut-être...Ma sœur ici...Elle s'est cassé sa jambe...Donc, elle a besoin quelqu'un l'aider rentrer à la chambre...Pouvez-vous, s'il vous plaît?" Kisho replied in fluent French.

"Oui, oui Monsieur...Bien sûr! Et la voiture Monsieur?"

"Oh, c'est pas grave! Ma sœur est plus important que ma voiture! Allez! Depechez-vous!" Kisho answered, faking a worried expression.

"Certainement!"

The valet then left Kisho and the car as he helped Pamela who appeared to be walking with much difficulty with a pair of crutches. Kisho then turned towards the driver beside him, taking an apple out of his pocket.

"Want one?" Kisho offered.

"No thanks sonny. I'm not allowed to accept any food or drink from the clients that I ferry." the driver said flatly.

"Then could you wind up the windows? And then we can leave now. Oooh I love being in limousines! How many does your company have for rent?"

"Er, I'm not sure. And by the way, you're not going to accompany your sister up to her room?" the driver asked.

"Oh she'll do fine by herself. Now drop me off at the mall." Kisho answered.

Kisho started eating his apple as the driver took him to the entertainment centre in the limousine. They soon reached Kisho's destination just as Kisho finished the apple.

"Thank you!"

"Don't mention it."

The driver started driving back to his company to return the limousine. He was late and for that his manager would rant at him again. He could not afford to be fired. He accelerated. But then something went wrong. His breathing hastened. His chest felt constricted. He gasped, he coughed. He could not see clearly. He tried. He tried to drive. But he died.

The vehicle, without the driver's guidance, went out of control; a raging mass of metal going at 120 kilometres per hour. The limousine went on for a distance of about 400 metres before its rampage ended with a deafening crash upon making contact with a truck transporting cylinders of highly flammable gas. A ball of flame erupted as both vehicles were destroyed instantly and their occupants incinerated.

Kisho watched the commotion from the rooftop of the entertainment centre. He grinned as he took out a cellular phone. He dialed a number before putting the phone at his ear.

"Mission accomplished Miss Isley. And the evidence has been taken care of. How're things at your side?"

*

Pamela walked along with the valet in a corridor on the seventh floor of the hotel. They were in the lift when Pamela took off her trench coat and hat, revealing her green skintight suit as the crutches fell onto the ground.

"Merci beaucoup!"

The valet watched in amazement, puzzled by Pamela's seemingly miraculous recovery. Pamela leaned forward and spoke softly.

"Could you help me pretty please?"

The valet experienced a sense of euphoria as Pamela spoke. It was wild, uncontrolled. There was pleasure, exhilaration and lust. And as soon as it came, it was gone. The valet was breathless.

"You speak English? I..."

The valet could only concentrate on Pamela. He craved for her. He craved for that feeling once more.

Pamela leaned closer, giving a little pout.

"You won't help me?"

The valet felt it again. The feeling overwhelmed him. He acquiesced.

"Certainly...How..Can I help you?"

"Now that's a good boy...May I know which room does Joshua Linton stay in?"

The valet hesitated. That was the boss of all bosses, the one who owned the entire Gotham Royale and he had given strict instructions not to be disturbed.

"I..."

And the feeling vanished. It was so precious, so sacred. He needed it. He had to feel it again.

"Aw come on...Just tell me this...Such a small favour..."

The valet felt the sensuous pleasure again. He finally relented.

"Yes yes..."

He took out his PDA and looked through the records. He found the room shortly.

"Room...258...Mademoiselle...Eighth floor..."

"Many thanks!" Pamela said as she flashed a bright smile at the valet.

The valet seemed mesmerised. They reached the eighth floor and exited the lift. The valet continued admiring Pamela whilst fantasising. Pamela smiled and fired a dart from her miniature crossbow on her wrist at the valet's chest. The larger-than-usual dart flew with fearful velocity and planted itself in the valet's heart. The valet grimaced and clutched his chest. This snapped the valet back to his senses. Pamela laughed and fired a few more at the same place. The valet tried to dodge the deadly projectiles but failed. He gave a silent scream of fear and agony before he collapsed. Pamela stepped on the darts in the valet's chest, pushing them further in until they could be seen no more. This resulted in a brief spasm by the valet's body as Pamela stepped over it.

*

Pamela rapped the door.

"Room service!"

There was no response. She repeated the rapping.

"What do you want? I'm busy now! Anymore disturbances and I'll make sure you all get fired!" Someone in the room shouted.

Pamela smiled. She took a handful of seeds from her pocket and scattered them on the ground. She then took out a vial from her boot and emptied the contents on the seeds. The seeds started to grow at an alarming rate. A plethora of shoots, leaves and vines shot upwards as a brownish mass of roots crept across the ground. The plants continued to grow upwards until a gigantic pink bud appeared at the top amongst the giant leaves and thick vines. The bud seemed to turn itself out as it bloomed, becoming a two-metre tall rose. Pamela smiled once more.

"Open," Pamela said.

The petals of the rose curved outwards and a vine slithered downwards beside Pamela. Pamela sat on it.

"Lift me up darling."

The vine snaked upwards into the rose and Pamela got down, landing on the rose. Pamela stroked the petals slowly with one hand as she caressed a vine gently with the other.

"Don't worry my babies...You'll be growing all over Gotham by the time Mummy's done purifying it...But first...We'll have to help Kisho with his plans...After all...He's our benefactor. But this part of Kisho's plan I especially enjoy...The imbecile my dears, behind this door is the one that savagely murders so many of your kind just for his own selfish gains...Your brothers, sisters...Parents even...All your relatives...Poor things...Because of him...But don't fret...I'll avenge all of you...He's public enemy number one on Kisho's list apparently..." Pamela said warmly to her green companions.

"Move closer please."

The flurry of plants, supported by roots, moved closer to the door. Pamela put her ear to her door, listening with anticipation.

"I'm going to make sure I find out who disturbed us and make sure that someone gets fired!" The same person in the room exclaimed.

Pamela gave a girlish giggle and whispered in an undertone to the plants, "I'm right here am I not?"

"Oh yeah...Suck it...Suck it harder..." The voice sounded again.

Pamela's grin widened.

There was a groan. Then another. And another.

"Don't stop...Oh yeah..."

Pamela turned to her plants.

"You think I should let him finish?"

The leaves rustled and the vines swayed from side to side.

"I take that as a no then."

Before Pamela could do anything, the door burst open. Two burly bodyguards armed with rifles stood in the doorway. They were shocked by the apparition in front of them; a red-headed beauty sitting on a flower atop an enormous mass of plants.

"Hello boys, welcome to the green." Pamela said seductively, batting her eyelashes.

"What the heck..." One bodyguard said.

"Get them." Pamela said, eyes flashing dangerously.

A flurry of vines and branches flew at the bodyguards before any of them could react, wrapping around them tightly. More vines snaked towards them and winded around their mouths and eyes before any of them made a sound.

"Let's go in shall we?" Pamela suggested to the plants.

The towering mass of plants moved into the room with astounding speed and silence with Pamela still on the flower. Pamela stared at the figures on the bed.

"My...my...What do we have here?" Pamela said.

There was a man. Not really a man, rather a teenager, that looked only seventeen or eighteen. He had a round face with piggish eyes with an all-rounded figure to match; fats, fats and more fats. He sat at the edge of the king-sized bed. There was a beautiful blonde woman with the right figure kneeling on the floor in front of him while a pulchritudinous Asian woman sat beside him with her legs wide open. And all of them were stark naked. The blonde had her mouth over the male's erected private part, going up and down while the male fondled the breasts of the Asian woman, caressing and licking them. All three turned their attention to Pamela at the sound of voice.

"Only two Mr. Linton? I was told you would be in bed with at least ten prostitutes!" Pamela exclaimed with a derisive laugh.

"And who are you? I thought I didn't want to be disturbed!"

Joshua looked at Pamela's curves and face.

"But then again...Perhaps you came to join us? I would love to know you...Inside out.." Joshua said lecherously, eyeing Pamela's breasts.

Pamela gave him a contemptuous stare.

"I see what Kisho meant...But that's not the principle of the matter...The crux is that you and your company have destroyed countless plants with the continuous deforestation...And you will pay for your heinous crimes."

Joshua's lecherous grin faltered.

"Kisho? What Kisho? Who are you? And where are my bodyguards?"

"You know very well which Kisho I'm talking about. As for your bodyguards, they'll be dead pretty soon."

Joshua started ransacking the drawer beside the bed while the other two women huddled together on the bed in fear.

"What are you looking for Mr. Linton? A condom?" Pamela asked, voice filled with mirth.

Joshua rummaged through numerous packets of condoms and wads of money, before producing a handgun. He aimed it at Pamela.

"Answer me. Who are you? What are you talking about?" Joshua asked threateningly.

Pamela sneered. She then held out her palm.

"I want the gun." Pamela said.

Joshua laughed nervously.

"The gun's with me bitch! So you can fucking say goodbye to your life!"

Joshua aimed at Pamela's chest with the handgun which was equipped with a silencer, and pulled the trigger.

Several thick shoots shot up in front of Pamela, deflecting the bullet. The bullet hit the surface of one of the shoots and ricocheted off it, hitting the wall instead. The shoot had been dented. Pamela frowned while Joshua looked on in fear, gun still in his hand.

"Plants stronger than steel...No excuse for damaging them! Get the gun!"

The vines struck Joshua's hand and he cried out as the gun fell out of his hand. Another vine curled around the gun, bringing it to Pamela while more vines wound around Joshua.

"You'll never get away with this bitch!"

"Watch me. Besides, that'll be the least of your concerns soon...Now...You're a murderer...The evidence, fingerprints on the gun...Darling, could you do the honours?"

The vine with the gun aimed and curled tighter around the trigger, until the gun was fired. The blonde prostitute slumped against the wall, a splash of red behind her head. The Asian started screaming but a few vines subdued her easily, tightening around her neck and causing her to die from strangulation in merely under a minute.

"Make sure his fingerprints are around her neck."

The vines carried Joshua near the Asian and pulled his hands towards the woman's neck. Joshua tried to fight but the plants were too strong. Inch by inch, Joshua's hands got closer to the woman's neck and finally, the fingerprints were on her neck.

"You fucking bitch! Release me!" Joshua yelled.

"Oh what a noisy pig..."

Pamela stepped down from the flower and walked over to Joshua. The vines bound Joshua tightly, forcing him to face Pamela as she planted a kiss on his lips.

"A little something to shut you up...Urgh...That was disgusting..." Pamela said as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

Joshua barely blinked before he passed out. Pamela sighed.

"Oh my goodness, what a mess...My dears...Could you go to the lift and collect the valet's body? And the others over there, make sure you still have the two bodyguards with you. The three of them are going to be wonderful fertilizer aren't they?"

Pamela leaned back on the petal of the rose and inhaled the fragrant aroma while the unconscious Joshua Linton was swallowed by the seemingly infinite tendrils. She then took a piece of paper from one of her gloves and a pen from her other.

"Now let's see...Joshua Linton done. Oh yeah, make sure you don't smother him my babies. I want him alive, or rather, Kisho wants him alive...Now that's a tick for his name...Who else? Hmm...Dr. Grey? In Arkham Asylum so I guess I'll go there last...Lester...Later...Guo Xin...Of course! Isn't he Haruko's boyfriend...Ah...Haruko...If you had continued following me...The Earth would be at the mercy of Mother Nature by now...Well...I suppose it's time to visit my old apprentice...Haruko-chan..."

Pamela's cellular phone rang. She answered the call.

"Yes? Kisho." Pamela said.

"Mission accomplished Miss Isley. And the evidence has been taken care of. How're things at your side?" Kisho asked.

"Oh...Thoroughly done with Mr. Linton. Anyway, I shall start with Guo Xin next. Is that fine with you?" Pamela said brightly.

"Anything Pamela...I just want my high school reunion..."

Starting on Chapter 5 thanks to Guo Xin's song "Transylvania". Inspirational trigger! And I used a sentence from Batman TAS episode "Pretty Poison" :).

Chapter 5

"You picked Snow White as a theme?" the boy asked as he picked up an apple and took an enormous bite out of a it.

Pamela gathered the apples on the table and placed them in the basket.

"I guess you could say so Kisho...Does it taste good? I mean they're hollow and filled with hydrogen cyanide gas...That just means that you won't taste much flesh but lots of hydrogen cyanide instead...But with the para-aminopropiophenone cell implants...We're quite immune to it...But not those who will maybe inhibit our next heist." Pamela said with a laugh.

Kisho took another bite, munching with enthusiasm.

"You know, although hydrogen cyanide smells bitter...It's not really bad with apple...Because...Um...The apples you grow taste great and secondly, the taste of hydrogen cyanide blends in quite nicely with the apple juice. Mmm..."

"Ironic haha...And I've to confirm this with you again. You're sure there's a lethal dose of hydrogen cyanide gas in the hollow apples? I don't want anyone to survive you know?"

"I understand Pamela...Don't worry...I tested the levels of Amygdalin in the apples. Very, very high...So that'll mean large amounts of hydrogen cyanide. About 300 parts per million of hydrogen cyanide give or take...That should kill someone in a few minutes...And for the apples...Well basically...The apples are quite safe unless they're subjected to a certain level of impact...But I really must commend you for being able to cultivate apples that contain such a high level of Amygdalin and are hollow! You really are the best horticulturist. But why go to all the trouble when we can just create explosives with hydrogen cyanide?" Kisho asked as he finished the apple.

"Well Kisho...That'll be so not my style and besides...Mother Nature has so much to offer...Apples specially bred will need no resealing, no injecting of hydrogen cyanide...That's more troublesome! With breeding, everything's natural! It was easy to change the Amygdalin's presence to the flesh instead of the seeds and to have hydrogen cyanide produced in the gaseous form...I just tweaked here and there with the enzymes...But the hollow part was rather tricky...But it's all over, and worth it! Now...Help harvest more and fill the basket. We're going to start our little Eden..." Pamela said as her emerald eyes flashed dangerously.

*

Pamela looked stunning in her usual revealing criminal suit, dark green gloves and boots topped off with a simple straw hat. She walked slowly, hips swaying ostensibly from side to side, as the heels of her boots made contact with the ground, resulting in a sharp tap in Pamela's every step. Kisho followed silently behind Pamela, dressed in light black clothing, with soundless footsteps as if he was gliding across the ground. They arrived at the entrance of the Gotham Botanical Gardens. The massive gate towered over them as they stood in its eerie silhouette caused by the rampant vine growth on it. Kisho inspected the gate and smiled.

"The hinges are rusty. The whole structure is in bad condition. A little explosive could bring it down. So-" Kisho said before he was interrupted.

"We'll do something special tonight. None of mankind's mechanical creations...We'll do this the green way. Behold...My growth formula...Ah...Pardon the drama..." Pamela said with amusement.

She took out a small vial from inside one of her dark green gloves and another from beneath her suit at her chest and Kisho grimaced when he saw that.

"Ewww...Must you put it in your bra?" Kisho asked in a disgusted voice.

Pamela just giggled.

"Oh you sound exactly like Harley! I don't wear bra by the way but better safe than sorry! Harley was never very careful...And that's why she..." Pamela said as her voice turned into a whisper.

Pamela dried her moist eyes with her gloves than smoothened out her suit.

"I'm sorry. That was most unprofessional of me." Pamela said as she sniffed.

"You loved her didn't you? Harley?" Kisho asked softly.

"She was my only human friend...Other than plants of course...She didn't deserve to die...She was so young...Oh but Batman just had to meddle..." Pamela said as her eyes narrowed.

A memory tingled in her mind and showed itself.

"Red? Are you sure breaking into Wayne Corporation is such a good idea? I mean you worked here? Quite obvious looking at the stuff you're gonna steal? And what if Batsy comes?"

"Oh Harley...Batman...So insignificant...No match for my perfume..." Pamela said as she gathered a few bottles of cyanide and boxes of ammonium nitrate.

"Harley? Can you load this bottle of cyanide into your gun? We'll be prepared just in case..." Pamela said as she handed the bottle to Harley.

"Aww...Red...I wanna use my extendable boxing glove. Pretty please?" Harley pleaded, a megawatt smile on her face.

Pamela sighed and gave a nod of approval. They finished putting the last of the bottles into Harley's handbag and almost reached the exit when the alarm sounded.

"Drats! Harley! Whatever happened?" Pamela shouted.

"Oopsy? Haha..." Harley said with a weak smile as she held up a tripwire.

Pamela rolled her eyes and took out a bottle of cyanide, wielding it in her hand just as two police officers burst into the room.

"Freeze! Nobody move!" One policed officer shouted.

Pamela threw the bottle at the police officers. One of them raised his arm to deflect the blow and the bottle crashed onto the ground. The bottle smashed into pieces as its contents flowed out. Harley launched the boxing glove and the other police officer was thrown back into a wall as the boxing glove struck her. The other police officer started coughing as he inhaled the cyanide fumes. Pamela gave him a vicious uppercut and a kick in the groin while Harley threw a smoke grenade on the ground. The police officers coughed even more violently in the mixture of chlorosulphuric acid and cyanide as Harley and Pamela made their escape.

A flash of black. A large shadow was cast over them. A soft thud. The Batman narrowed his eyes. Pamela smirked.

"A late-night rendezvous? To what do I owe the honour Batman?" Pamela asked mockingly.

"Harley and Ivy. You'll both soon have the honour of staying in Arkham."

"What makes you so sure Batsy?" Harley shouted as she launched the boxing glove.

The Batman leaped and avoided the attack with ease. Pamela produced a thorny whip from her boot and lashed out at the Batman as he landed behind them. The Batman parried Pamela's lashes with his arm guards and threw a batarang in Pamela's direction. Pamela raised her arm, preparing to strike again but the keen projectile sliced her weapon into half. Harley launched her boxing glove again and this time, it hit. The Batman flew backwards several feet as Pamela took out an abnormally large aerosol.

"You'll pay for doing that to my precious vine Batman!" Pamela said with rage as she squirted a liberal amount of hydrochloric acidic mist at the Batman.

The Batman shielded himself with his cape but the concentrated acidic mist dissolved part of the cape and his suit, searing his flesh. The Batman flinched in agony just as Harley dealt another severe blow to him with her extendable boxing glove, causing him to fall onto the ground. Pamela dropped a bottle of cyanide onto the ground, shattering the glass and causing the lethal cyanide fumes to rise up from the slowly-forming puddle of cyanide. The Batman started coughing violently as he inhaled the fumes. Pamela blew a kiss at him and laughed.

"Ah...The Batman incapacitated...At our mercy...How long have I dreamt of this..." Pamela said, circling the Batman languorously.

The Batman tried to get up and lifted an arm but Pamela put a foot onto his chest.

"Ivy...Police..." The Batman mumbled, looking behind Pamela.

"Oh the police officers? The cyanide and acidic smokescreen should stop them...And don't bother trying to move Batman...The last kiss I blew was a paralyzant. Now...For the coup de grace...A corporeal kiss...To seal your fate..." Pamela said slowly, puckering her lips for a kiss.

Pamela crouched down and leaned forward.

"What perfect physique Batman...Your figure certainly matches mine..." Pamela said with delight as she leaned forward more, lips touching the Batman's.

"Red!"

There was a shout. The sound of a gunshot. Pamela paused, lips still locked with the Batman's.

Harley crumpled, the patch of red stemming from the left side of her chest was slowly spreading wider and wider.

"Red..." Harley said for the second time, the first being a shout.

Pamela watched aghast from the side of her eyes. Her peripheral vision was not excellent but what she she saw was enough to make her blood run cold. Tears started streaming down her face as she broke her kiss with the Batman.

"Harley!" Pamela screamed, running over to her body.

A police officer stood at the entrance to the building of Wayne Corporation, holding a pistol in his hand still aimed in Pamela's direction as smoke drifted from the barrel of the pistol. He coughed and gasped before the effects of cyanide poisoning overwhelmed him, killing him.

Pamela witnessed the police officer's death and her sharp mind deduced what happened.

The shout. The gunshot. Harley.

The bullet had been meant for her, to stop her from planting her deadly kiss on the Batman. But Harley had shielded her, with her own body, and it cost her her life. Harley had tried to warn her but it was too late. And she used the only last resort she could, sacrificing herself.

Pamela clasped Harley's hands in hers. They felt frighteningly icy. Harley looked pale.

"Harley...Hang on...I'll save you...I'll think of something...You said I was the best botanist didn't you? Just don't die yet Harley...I'll find a plant...I'll help you..." Pamela said in between sobs, holding Harley in a tight embrace.

Harley smiled.

"Red...I had gotten over the Joker long ago...I'm no fool...I used to be a psychiatrist...I realised it was just infatuation...The one...I really love...Is you Red...You..." Harley said, with ostensible difficulty as she articulated each word.

"I love you too Harley...I had always loved you...Just wait for me...I'll find a cure...The immunity serum I gave you...I can try to change it...Make it something to give you immortality...Just hang on Harley...I'll do anything...We can go beg Ra's Al Ghul...I'll be his slave...So you can use his Lazarus Pits...Yes...I'll go now...Oh Harley..." Pamela whispered comfortingly.

"Red...Promise you won't forget me..." Harley said, smiling as she closed her eyes and a teardrop rolled down her rosy cheek.

"I won't...Harley...Harley? Harley?" Pamela screamed, tears cascading down literally.

Pamela carried Harley in her arms. She could hear sirens, then another gunshot, a burning sensation in her chest and then everything went black.

"Pamela? Pamela? The growth serum...Do I pour it or what? Pamela?" Kisho asked.

Pamela snapped back to the present. A teardrop fell.

"Yea-Yeah? Pardon? I was reminiscing, sorry."

"I asked how should I use this serum of yours?" Kisho repeated.

Pamela rubbed her reddened eyes.

"Oh just pour them on the vines. On the roots."

"Okey-dokey."

"I'm so sorry Harley...But I'll avenge you...The entire world's population will pay at the expense of your death..." Pamela said in an undertone.

"Sorry?"

"Nothing...Just mumbling to myself about imperfections in the serum..."

A flurry of vines sprouted from the tip of every leaf of the initial vines on the gate. All the vines snaked their way up the gate as their roots planted themselves in the ground firmly. The vines continued to shoot up, lifting the gate into the air, pulling it from its hinges.

Pamela smiled at the phenomenal sight.

"Now...Let me show you something I discovered during my stay in Arkham..." Pamela said, clearly please with herself.

Pamela stroked the plant softly.

"Spread yourselves out...Slowly...We don't anyone suspecting you do we?"

Tne vines curled up and snaked across the gate, spreading out evenly. When the last of the rustling of leaves was heard, the gate was back in its original position held up by the vines that spread across it.

"Good work my babies...This way...When they open the gate the next morning...They'll think the gate just needs maintenance. No suspicion of foul play..."

Kisho watched in awe, mouth agape.

"Oh, my, god...Telepathic plant control..."

"No Kisho silly...I can...communicate with the plants...Not control...Now, let's collect all the species of plants here..."

The both of them went around collecting seeds of plant species ranging from some of the rarest to the most common weeds. In the event whereby there were no seeds, they took the entire plant altogether. They continued throughout the night without fatigue, stamina, strength and agility enhanced by Pamela's plant extracts.

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the clouds, signaling the arrival of dawn. Pamela and Kisho finally finished and they approached the gate. Pamela greeted it.

"Good morning my dears! Now my hands are a little full...So could you open the gate for me and then close it after I leave?" Pamela asked the vines.

The vines responded by moving away from Pamela towards a tree. The vines coiled around the tree at one end and grasped the gate at the other. The vines then started to curl, pulling the gate away from Pamela.

"Thank you." Pamela said sweetly.

Kisho continued watching even after they left the compound as the vines started their work of returning the gate to its original position.

Kisho ran after Pamela.

"Wait up! Now that's something you don't see everyday..."

"Oh don't worry...I promise we'll be seeing much of this in the days to come...Gotham - My Poison Paradise! Now get the plants and seeds into the car..."

Writing this chapter after watching Agent Cody Banks rerun on channel 5. Just realised my writing needs triggers or emotional outbursts. So it helps if I'm a wreck. So...I guess I'll continue being depressed...Oh yeah, Guo Xin doesn't wear glasses in my story (As requested by himself) so don't laugh or do other crappy stuff.

Chapter 4

"Miss Isley?" the boy called as he gestured towards the table.

Pamela surveyed her surroundings. They were in some kind of special operations room it seemed. Pamela started exploring. There was more apparently to the seemingly small room. She moved on, fingers moving across the black walls until they found a depression. Pamela applied a reasonable amount of pressure to the depression and waited. There was a grinding noise as Pamela stepped backwards. The wall seemed to split into two, revealing a second room which appeared to be a laboratory.

"Pressure pads I suppose?" Pamela commented as she turned towards the boy with a wry smile on her face.

The boy just smiled thinly as he beckoned towards Pamela.

"You are certainly gifted Miss Isley. You do have some sharp eyes over there. Anyway, here are the weapons I designed." the boy said as he picked up a metallic contraption of some kind.

"Interesting...I must say you're quite the genius yourself."

Pamela inspected the gadgets in front of her. She nodded in approval as the boy started the introduction.

"Firstly, this little bangle here...Made of titanium, tinted with emerald. Titanium isn't quite the strongest metal but well we'll make do with its good strength to weight ratio. Now for how to use it...It projects these tiny darts here at an astounding speed...Just slightly slower than a pistol firing a bullet...Around six hundred feet per second or thereabouts. And it even reloads by itself upon pushing this trigger here. The darts are made of plant mass and are thus biodegradable. They are stronger than steel but very light which make them extremely lethal. There are different sizes and of course there are hollow darts for poisons...These larger darts over here are for injuring rather than poisoning and yeah, for the smaller hollow ones, you get the idea..."

Pamela picked up the miniature crossbow curiously, then looked at the darts arranged in rows in front of her.

"Can I test this?" Pamela asked as she tried on the lethal bangle.

The boy gave a quick nod and then waved for Pamela's attention before he continued.

"Next...Some Teflon-coated nails over here." the boy said as he held up a stick-on nail.

"You can decorate them in whatever way you want, although that's not all of course...These nails are hollow and contain minuscule capsules with hydrofluoric acid in them...So if you want to destroy any evidence in a jiffy, just apply pressure to the nails then break them. The nails are coated with Teflon both on the inside and outside to prevent the hydrofluoric acid from corroding the nails so just break them and the acid will seep out. There's a reasonable amount of hydrofluoric acid there so you'll have enough acid to corrode a weapon or maybe a hand...Oh yes! You'll need another cell implant...Calcium lactate gluconate I believe...In order to immunise yourself from the hydrofluoric acid."

"Interesting...An abrasive touch...I believe I can smear the acid on my fingers and I'll be fine?" Pamela asked excitedly.

"Certainly Miss Isley...Sorry if you think I'm intruding into your privacy but...What's gotten into you? You seem to have become...Deflated? No longer...the arrogant woman I knew..."

"I-I...I'm behaving like...Myself! This has always been me-" Pamela stopped midsentence.

She looked at the table surface, her reflection.

What have I become...I only wanted Nature to win the war against Man...To make the world a better place...But now...I...I...How? Is this me? Poisoning? I must be mad...No! I'm not the crazy one here...The humans are! Not me! Poisoning...Ha! They are the ones...polluting waters with those filthy poisons...clouding the skies with dangerous vapours...ridding the land of precious plants...Man harbours desire...and therein lies the problem...The insatiable desire which threatens to consume the whole of Mother Nature...I will stop them...Just like the toxicodendron radicans...Just like Poison Ivy...Just like me...

"I'm sorry Miss Isley, I never should have asked."

"Not at all...I finally...realized my roots..." Pamela replied icily.

"Glad to know that. We'll need to acquire some calcium gluconate." the boy said with a hint of unease in his voice.

"Before we start working together officially, I need to know about the proposition. Go on, entice me." Pamela said, voice turning fearfully sweet.

"Yes Miss Isley...The proposition...Here's the deal, I'm planning...revenge on some...old friends of mine...And I'll be needing your expertise in Botany to assist me in my plans. If you agree, I'll restore to you to your former glory or even more and after my little vengeance, perhaps I could help you in your environmental escapades in the future. So, interested?"

"Sealed...Our partnership...Sealed..." Pamela said gleefully as she looked around.

"Good...So, what are we waiting for? Let's get you powered up and I'll give you a tour of my place." the boy said as he offered Pamela an arm.

"The pleasure is mine." Pamela replied as she took his arm.

*

"Guo Xin...Are you sure moving back to Gotham was such a good idea?" the girl asked as she shook her head and flung her lustrous black hair backwards.

"Sweetie...You live here...And I wanna meet your parents. Besides, it would be great if we could live together and stuff. But first your parents' consent and probably after we're married..." the boy replied as he slid an arm around the girl comfortingly.

"Please Guo Xin, I'm stressed enough now to not think about marriage. My parents...Not to mention the murders...My murders..." the girl trailed off as she fought a sob.

"Come on now...We've gone through this...We'll forget the past okay? Start anew...Make amends! I'll do anything to make you feel better! And you must remember what you did was for the environment! And you were brilliant when you stopped the other poisonings! As for Mister Hayashi and his company...Well...Like I said, for the environment...So cheer up won't you?" the boy pleaded.

Haruko Takaharucho nodded, then smiled weakly. Guo Xin always had an optimistic point view and he never failed to cheer her up. Haruko was sixteen and had flawless skin that was free of any blemishes and quite the model figure. Her inky black waist-length hair was let down at the moment to exhibit its pristine lustre as it swayed from side to side. She had a pretty porcelain face with large sparkling eyes, a tiny nose and little sweet lips. She looked like something that came out from an anime or manga with a violet blouse and black mini-skirt.

"I'm glad you're by my side Guo Xin...I wouldn't know what to do without you...Without you...I wouldn't even be here...I would be poisoning even more people..." Haruko confessed, voice trembling.

Guo Xin smiled encouragingly at her. He didn't care about Haruko's past misdeeds. The only thing he cared about was her. He knew she had a good heart despite the crimes she had committed. After all, those crimes were in the name of Mother Nature. Haruko only wanted to save the environment.

I can't believe I've got such a great girlfriend...She's kind, good-natured and all...Not to mention good-looking...

Guo Xin himself at eighteen years old was quite the looker too. He was tall, muscular with a lean build and had long black hair that resulted in a slanted fringe at his forehead and a hairstyle that matched those of characters in Japanese cartoons. His face was long with intense black eyes and a prominent chin. He could consider modelling as a career alongside Haruko if not for the fact that he had to carry his father's legacy. He was even defined "cute" by those lovestruck girls at his school.

"So...Have you heard from your brother?" Guo Xin asked casually.

Haruko stiffened.

"No. Why do you ask?" she asked without emotion.

"No it's just...You know meeting your parents and all that family stuff...Don't tell me you've forgotten him..."

Haruko shot him a dirty look and snatched a copy of The Gotham Express from a newspaper stand and slammed a few coins onto it.

"My step-brother for your information! And in case you've forgotten, he almost caused my mother's death by severing ties with her and then running away from home! Not to mention he poisoned Dad! I tried playing nice! I begged him again and again to stay! So we could be one family again! But no, he even tried to poison me!" Haruko retorted, clearly exasperated.

Guo Xin was momentarily stunned at seeing his normally reserved girlfriend suddenly blow her top.

"Hey calm down...I was just asking. So...Have you heard from him?"

"Well no! What do you think? The next time he returns, he'll probably be trying to poison me with another of his devious creations!" Haruko shouted, causing a few passers-by to look curiously at the both of them.

Guo Xin looked around and smiled at the passers-by.

"Bad hair day! Sorry!" Guo Xin yelled to the passers-by and then turned back to Haruko.

"I guess it runs in the family huh?"

"What are you suggesting?" Haruko replied threateningly with a scowl.

"No! I mean the brains! Your parents are doctors...You're a chemist...And your brother...Something to do with genetics right? And all with very impressive degrees from Princeton, Harvard...Don't be mad okay? I'll stop probing if you're angry with me mentioning him"

Haruko took a deep breath and adjusted her hair.

"You're right...It does run in the family...A little too much...I'm sorry for overreacting...It's just, just that I feel responsible for him...Responsible for the state of my family now...And now meeting my parents...It's just too much..." Haruko replied with a sigh.

"It's all going to be fine love. Don't pressurize yourself too much. It's just visiting. It's not like your step-brother's going to come and poison you or something..."

"Yeah...I guess so..."

Haruko turned to the newspaper. The headlines were splashed across the first page in large type.

"POISON IVY KILLED IN GUARD SCUFFLE DURING VISIT! VISITOR MISSING BUT PRESUMED DEAD!"

"Looks like we spoke too soon Guo Xin...What are the chances that Poison Ivy dies in a guard scuffle...And that visitor..."

"I don't know...If Poison Ivy uses the same cell implant technology as you and you couldn't remove them all..."

"The asylum doctors wouldn't be able to as well...The imperfections would mean..."

Realization dawned on both of them.

"Poison Ivy retained some of her implants." Guo Xin said.

"Then it would be impossible that she died...It looks like...My step-brother's back in town..." Haruko said in a hushed whisper.

*

The laboratory attendant of the laboratories of Sandoz pharmaceuticals was giving one of the laboratories a final check to see if everything was in order and accounted for. Those checks of unspeakable tedium were what the attendant hated most about the job. They were the reason that the attendant had to stay past midnight before he could leave. This particular check was the source of his frustration as he walked to and fro the lab. He was about to check the last batch of chemicals when he heard two sharp knocks. The attendant was irritated and confused at the same time as he peered at the door.

Who can be bloody knocking at this bloody hour and how did whoever it is bloody get past security?

"Who's there?" the attendant called out.

"Poison."

"Poison?" the attendant asked in puzzlement.

The attendant was confused even further. He stopped his checking and moved towards the door. However, there was a small explosion at the door and then a bang as the door came crashing down. The attendant was thrown backwards by the force as he raised his arms across his face in reflex. A woman of incredible beauty dressed in a bright green suit walked into the laboratory followed by a teenager in overalls with a cap tilted in such a way that his face was covered.

"Good evening Mr. Baxter. We've come for a little something - Calcium gluconate. Now if you would kindly just get it for us." the boy said.

"What the heck? Who are you people? You can't just blow down a door down and request for chemicals!"

"Awww...But you answered wrongly...After I said 'Poison', you should have said 'Poison who?'. But you didn't...So I had to end my little joke...Don't you know 'knock knock who's there' jokes?" Pamela said in sing-song voice.

"I don't give a damn about your bloody jokes!"

"I fear I have to experiment Mr. Baxter." the boy said and the attendant's eyes widened in fear.

"What-What are you gonna do to me?"

Pamela did not answer him and neither did the boy. Pamela raised her arm and fired at the guard. The dart flew through the air and landed in the attendant's neck. The attendant gave an exclamation of pain before plucking out the dart and throwing it on the ground.

"What was that you...you fiends!" the guard shouted apprehensively.

"Just a recent creation of mine...Something...to turn you on...and off..." the boy replied devilishly.

"Oh, you added the anthrax?" Pamela asked, evident surprise on her face.

"Incorporated would be a better word. It was difficult but I got it eventually...And now...the show begins...You haven't seen its effects Pamela?"

"I was in the morgue...In any case you have forgotten..." Pamela answered dully.

"Doesn't really matter actually...You can see it now..." the boy said as he moved over to the attendant and started undressing him.

The tubocurarine started infiltrating the attendant's muscles as it did its paralysis job. At the same time, the boy's new and improved aphrodisiac started its work as arousal crept slowly over the attendant.

"I'm calling security!" the attendant yelled as he reached into his pocket for the walkie-talkie and pressed a red button.

The whole compound was suddenly filled with the sound of wailing sirens. A look of fear flickered over Pamela's face but the boy just stood beside her unfazed.

"The tubocurarine wasn't fast enough then...But you'll pay for that!" Pamela growled.

For a moment, Pamela actually looked nervous but it was not long before a her creased brow smoothened as she broke into a smile.

"I almost forgot...I'm Poison Ivy...Security...It doesn't really matter, does it?"

Just then, the two security guards armed with revolvers burst into the room, aiming their guns at Pamela and the boy. They looked at the fully-paralysed attendant lying motionless and stark naked by a table, then back at Pamela and the boy.

"What's going on here?" one of the guards asked.

"Aren't you that Poison Ivy? You're supposed to be dead!" the other exclaimed.

Pamela smiled at them. The boy stepped back as Pamela advanced towards the guards. She took out a bottle of perfume and gave herself a few quick sprays. She then stuck out her hands together.

"Arrest me! I've realised the err of my ways...I know I've done a lot of wrong in the past...But now I'm going to make up for it!" Pamela said with sheer determination.

"You better not try any tricks. I'm warning you!" One of the guards said while the other took out handcuffs.

The boy crouched over the laboratory attendant and applied some lip balm onto the attendant's lips.

This should free you up a little for distraction...And make sure that you keep silent...Not that you can speak in your current...sexual situation...Haha...

"Help! Help!" the boy screamed as the attendant started gasping heavily in between moans.

This diverted the attention of the two security guards as they looked at the commotion. They looked at the apparently flustered boy who was clutching the attendant. They looked at the guard who was in agony and then at his erection. They stood there for a few seconds before turning back to Pamela. They looked at Pamela angrily, guns aimed at her.

"What did you do!" one guard asked furiously.

"Oh nothing...Just added a little love to his life...Like my perfume?" Pamela asked.

"I've no time for games!" the other guard shouted as he held Pamela's hands, preparing to handcuff her.

"Now...You won't handcuff me..." Pamela said with a sneer.

The guard made a choking noise as he grabbed his neck. He clawed at his neck for a few seconds before he collapsed. The other guard just looked in shock. He turned back, about to pull the trigger of his gun before he collapsed as well. Suddenly, there was a primitive roar as the attendant ejaculated. The tepid liquid spurted out of the tip of the attendant's erection and landed on the guard's chest, dripping down slowly. The guard smiled weakly, gasping, before his head lolled over.

Pamela shrugged her shoulders and flashed a smile in the boy's direction.

"Well, I am to die for..." Pamela said, smiling evilly.

"So now what? I haven't got enough acid to destroy all the evidence." the boy said.

"I'll worry about that...Just get whatever chemicals we need and let me have a look at your bag of tricks." Pamela answered as she looked at the dead bodies in front of her, clearly amused.

The boy went around the laboratory, gathering the required chemicals while Pamela looked through the boy's rucksack for anything of use. Pamela got it in an instant.

"You know...When we used Caesium to blow up the door's hinges...You think we can use it to blow up the laboratory?" Pamela asked.

"Definitely...And we've got plenty of it since this is a laboratory!" the boy said brightly.

"Good. The more the merrier...Come on! Let's get to work! To blow this place up!" Pamela exclaimed with a laugh.

"But where do we get enough water? And to escape in time?" the boy enquired.

Pamela smiled, having thought of this earlier. She searched among the pile of the attendant's clothing and found a packet of cigarettes and a lighter.

"We'll use the sprinklers. I'll just need to start this pile of clothes burning and soon the smoke will get to the sprinklers...And by then, we'll be long gone...Haha!" Pamela replied.

"That. Is. Genius." the boy said, voice filled with admiration.

Soon, the Caesium was distributed accordingly and placed strategic locations. Pamela lighted the attendant's boxers and dropped them onto the other clothes. Pamela just laughed and exited the room.

"Fire in the hole!" the boy yelled as he hurried after Pamela.

Sorry if this chapter is a little disturbing. Crossing my writing boundaries. And loving it. Viewer discretion advised!

Chapter 3

The boy stared, eyes never blinking as he dropped two more drops into the concoction. He could hear it hissing and saw fumes rising out of the beaker.

Now that should be about it. Just needs a little of this and that for the final touch...

The concoction consisted of the Atlas aphrodisiac, along with many other natural aphrodisiacs. Extracts from Turnera Diffusa, Piper Methysticum, Eryngium Maritimum...As for the final touch, modified strychnine from the Strychnos nux vomica and concentrated Atlas. The whole concoction had finally been perfected. So deadly...It only affected men but the boy had already been immunised by injecting himself with the last of the antidote. No doubt this was one of the most brilliant of the boy's creations, but also one of the sickest. No, most perverted would be the correct way to put it. So very interesting the boy thought. He had to test it though. The effects, known to him, were only hypothetical. He needed to see the real deal, a live specimen, though the specimen would not be alive for long. The boy laughed softly to himself. Ah, the irony of it...

*

"So, how's school?" Si Heng asked.

How does he look so great even when he's got spaghetti sauce all over his mouth and talking at the same time?

Debbie sighed as she looked on.

"Hello? Earth to Debbie?" Si Heng said, raising his voice a little as he waved his hands in front of her eyes.

"Er, yeah what?" Debbie's train of thoughts halted abruptly.

"Penny for your thoughts? You were like...In space?" Si Heng smiled.

"Oh nothing, just admiring the view."

Si Heng raised an eyebrow. The only scenery around them was the litter-laden road and a wilted potted plant beside their table.

"Uh huh...The view you say? What exactly?"

Debbie's face reddened slightly as she realised her wrong choice of words.

"Oh shutup and eat your food." Her face turned a deeper shade of red as she realised her second mistake.

"In case you haven't noticed...We've finished our food. What's wrong with you today?" A mixture of concern and amusement spread across Si Heng's face.

Debbie just stared downwards, pondering her next response just in case she made another blunder. Thankfully, the waiter came to collect the bill.

"Signore. La fattura, per favore." the waiter requested in Italian.

Debbie intervened, recognising this as her escape route.

"Sì! Sì! Qui..." Debbie answered in her rusty Italian as she fumbled with her wallet before producing a credit card.

"Grazie Signora!" The waiter replied as he accepted it and made payment through it before returning it.

Si Heng had always been impressed with Debbie's linguistic skills. Her English was best but the rest...Chinese, Italian, French, German, Korean...No doubt she was never good in any of the other languages she knew but comprehension to a conversational extent was enough. Then realisation hit him. He had just let a woman pay for his meal! What an outrage of his dignity! He looked up and raised his hand, in an attempt to stop the waiter. But he stopped in midair as he realised that he could not speak Italian. So this was not his element...Debbie was looking at him across the table, smiling as if she were enjoying every minute of his incapability of speech. Ah, she won this time but he would forestall her the next.

Debbie silently breathed a sigh of relief as she observed Si Heng. He seemed to have momentarily forgotten about her strange behaviour. Did he? Well at least he stopped probing. She would never have confessed to Si Heng or at least, not yet. She had to leave fast though before Si Heng regained track of the conversation.

"Erm I have to go now. Some Lester Gibe wants to see me regarding some advertising stuff."

"Haha. Gibe? What sort of last name is that? Gibe as in Mock? Now that's a good one. And what? Advertising? Whoa...Going global now are we? You go girl! I have to go soon anyway. Training in the evening and I've to study anyway. See you around."

"Yeah, see you around I guess."

Si Heng turned to leave. Debbie gazed after him until he became a tiny pinprick in the distance. She was actually keen to end their rendezvous earlier...She couldn't believe it...

I guess my fear of confession is far greater than I anticipated...

She had to confess one day anyway. This was what Chloe, her sole confidante told her. And deep down inside, she knew it.

*

Jack Stillmore looked at his watch. Eleven fifty. Great, his shift ended at midnight and there was approximately, ten minutes left. He shivered as he clutched his jacket closer to his body. Working in a morgue meant being subjected to a frigid climate. Not to mention he worked six days a week nine to five with Sundays off. He was grateful he had not turned into a human ice cube after his first week. He glanced downwards at his body.

What perfect physique...What chance does a little cold stand against me? Against my firm chest? Or my bulging abs?

Looking at himself always brought him warmth, a sense of accomplishment. He had sculpted his allegedly perfect physique by working out at the gym three times a day for two hours each time for a whole year after which he slackened. He now worked out for two hours every night to maintain his body and stay in shape. But the warmth a sense of accomplishment provided had its limits. He was working in a morgue. Although he worked at the reception counter, providing assistance to visitors and guarding the entrance to the rooms that held the corpses. He always carried a Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistol with him in his jacket but he knew he would probably never use it. The entrance to the morgue itself was heavily guarded. Three government agents who were professional, armed and dangerous. Stringent security checks were conducted before anyone was admitted into the morgue and authorisation had to be acquired prior to the visit.

The doors swung open. The guard's head turned instinctively towards the stimulus. It was a boy. No, a teenager upon closer inspection. Jack was bewildered. A teenager was hardly the correct person to swagger in at this hour. Jack decided that the guards outside probably were skiving off the job or insane to allow this nobody to strut in. He walked around the counter and in front of the boy, cutting off his access to the rooms that harboured the corpses.

"Excuse me? May I have a look at your authorisation slip? And I'm afraid your visit will be delayed as i need to conduct further interrogation and checks."

"Oh yeah sure. Whatever." the boy said casually as he knelt down and set his bag on the floor.

The boy rummaged through his plethora of belongings before producing a legitimate-looking document. Jack gave a curt nod and reached out to take it. His hand made contact with the document, just as he felt a sharp pain at his wrist. He dropped the paper and withdrew his arm for closer observation. He noticed a tiny pinprick on the underside of his hand almost at his wrist. A drop of blood was gathering.

"Ooopsy. Shouldn't have left syringes lying around..." the boy said, smiling weakly.

"Why you little...What was that?" the guard shouted.

"Not too loud now, you might wake the dead...You'll join them soon anyway."

Instinct and reflex kicked in as soon as the guard's brain processed the words. The guard reached into his jacket for his pistol.

"Not so fast." the boy said as he struck out at the centre of the guard's throat with two fingers.

The guard lost all sensation immediately.

"Pressure points...Wondrous aren't they? Don't worry, this paralysis is only temporal. It'll buy me enough time to do this."

The boy reached downwards and scratched the guard's cheek in one swift motion, leaving a scarlet line behind. The edge of the nail had been laden with tubocurarine that the boy had secreted. He sucked his finger.

"Hmm, not quite sweet enough...Anyway..."

He pushed the guard lightly and there was a thud as the guard hit the floor. The guard's eyes widened as he made an inarticulate choking noise.

"Don't bother talking. Tubocurarine. It's a muscle relaxant. You notice that its effects take place very rapidly. First the external body...And finally, your intercostal muscles. But I haven't administered enough to kill you. You probably be in a state of paralysis for forty minutes...Now...This is the highlight of tonight..."

The boy traced the scarlet line on the guard's cheek where blood was starting to coagulate.

"You asked me what was in the syringe? That was my new and improved aphrodisiac. It is very potent...Shouldn't take long now before you...experience it...You're gonna love it..."

The guard gave a silent scream, fear evident in his eyes. The boy noticed this and gave a dangerously sweet smile.

"Oh don't worry. I'm sure this will be most pleasurable for...your kind..."

The guard's breathing started to hasten. His heartbeats getting more rapid. Blood was rushing to lower midsection. Adrenaline was pumping throughout his body. The boy frowned, then decided. He walked forward and dropped a drop of the tubocurarine antidote into the guard's wound on his face. The guard's body seemed to tense but still lay still. The guard blinked. He could move his mouth as well.

"I should at least give you the privilege of speech...Before you...ejaculate..."

"You fucking son of a bitch! Release me!" the guard yelled.

"Be silent or I have something here that will make you lose your voice!" the boy snapped irritably as he waved his middle finger threateningly.

"Fuck off and-"

The guard was cut off in midsentence. His mouth had turned dry. He started...to moan. The guard's penis, was enlarging at an alarming rate. The guard was sweating profusely. The guard was getting harder.

"Oh god...Fuck...Ahh..." the guard said as he looked down at his engorged shaft beneath his jeans.

"Hmm interesting..." the boy said as he observed his experimental subject.

"Are you enjoying this?" the boy enquired.

"Shit...Hell yeah...No! Stop it! Ahh..." the guard replied incoherently.

The boy smiled. Everything was going according to his hypothesis. As each second passed, the guard's penis would become even more erect, until it was erected at its fullest.

The guard couldn't take it. His phallus was so hard it was hurting. He needed an ejaculation badly.

"Please...I need to cum..." the guard moaned, breathing heavily.

"I'm afraid it won't be so easy...You see...I added an...extra ingredient to the concoction - strychnine. Mind you, not chemical X. Strychinie causes muscle contractions...And in this case, I modified it to affect your pubococcygeus muscle. In case you were wondering, that's the muscle that controls the release of urine and seminal fluid. Many think that it can only be used to hold back urine but since both semen and urine share the same passage, it can be used to hold back semen. It's just that when one feels like he's going to ejaculate, he doesn't stop. He wants...the pleasure. So how does this feel? You must feel terrible...Feeling very aroused...You feel like ejaculating...And yet you can't...But it'll be over soon, I promise." the boy replied, laughing evilly.

"Oh god...This is killing me...Help...Please..." the guard continued.

The boy moved forward and removed the guard's jeans and underwear. The guard relaxed a little.

"That feels better doesn't it? But my little aphrodisiac is diligent. Just wait."

The guard's naked member stood up erect to its fullest, emanating heat. And yet, the strychnine did its job. The guard screamed for mercy, for solace. He screamed for god, for sex.

"Lust dear...Is very powerful..." the boy strode over to the guard's side. He leaned down and poured the remaining antidote onto the guard's cheek.

The guard regained movement. He writhed on the ground as he used one of his hands for leverage to support himself. He wrapped his other hand around his enormous erection and started to masturbate. His breathing slowed as he gave a few groans of relief. The boy looked on, apparently very entertained. He laughed once again.

"I wouldn't have done that if I were you...Masturbation...Only quickens the effect of my aphrodisiac...Not long now..."

The guard was jolted out of his trance. He fumbled for his gun. But it was too late. The pubococcygeus muscle shattered and gave way. The guard screamed in agony and pleasure as a mixture of seminal fluid and blood shot out of the tip of his erection repeatedly in quick succession. He moaned and groaned as he continued ejaculating. He was exhausted as he slumped backwards, gasping for air as his penis started shrinking.

"How was that?" the boy asked teasingly.

"That...that was the best fucking cum of my life..."

"Dang! Wrong answer! That was the last!" the boy replied brightly.

With that, he emptied a cylinder of several black particles onto his palm and blew into the guard's face.

"Oh yeah, for your information, that was anthrax. Happy dying!" the boy exclaimed before entering the room for corpses.

The guard's expression turned into one of fear and then anger as he heard the boy's words. He wielded his pistol in his hand and stood up, still half-naked. He took two steps forward, attempting to venture into the other room to take the boy's life. Left, right, his legs moved before he started gasping and collapsed. He clutched his chest, massaging it in between gasps. He started crawling forward. He barely reached the doors before he bled to death internally.

The boy turned back and checked on the guard's corpse.

"Hmmm...I guess I'll have to fix the aphrodisiac...It doesn't kill...Well, I'll think of something. Ha...The need for sex...Ends one's life...Oh well, have to clean up."

The boy exited the morgue and dragged the bodies of the three government agents into the morgue. He walked to the reception counter and checked the records for Pamela Isley's name. He found it and proceeded on into the room with corpses. He found Pamela lying on a table in just a few minutes. He took a out a syringe from his pocket and injected the contents into Pamela Isley. She began to stir.

"Rise and shine. Miss Isley."

Pamela rubbed her eyes and rose.

"Took you long enough." she snapped.

"I need your help Miss Isley. There are four bodies I need to leave frozen here."

Pamela agreed grudgingly and the both of them carried the four bodies inside together.

"Someone will notice. You can't hide them forever." Pamela pointed out.

"You know very well this is a morgue Miss Isley. A morgue. There are so many corpses...It will be a very long time before anyone will ever find their bodies. Now heave."

Finally, the four bodies were hidden in storage compartments of negative twenty-five degrees Celsius. Four in hundreds in the morgue.The boy dusted his hands.

"All done. Now you'll have to come with me. I've designed a few weapons for you. And you will need your cell implants back."

"Weapons? And the cell implants. You know they're vulnerable. They can be broken down. And...I don't want to relive being poisoned by myself again..." Pamela said as she shuddered.

"Don't worry. Like you said, Mother Nature always evolves. She always does..."

Chapter 2

"Debbie Homings, nice to meet you. And you are?"

"Lester Gibe, nice to meet you too."

Debbie Homings was pretty much the average 17 year old. With a golden brown tan, fine facial features, shoulder length hair and a body that was rather developed for her age, she looked stunning for her age. But she was currently dressed in a singlet and shorts that clung to her skin as she was drenched to the skin with sweat. That definitely made her seem less appealing. She wiped a bead of perspiration from her forehead and downed a whole bottle of mineral water in a matter of seconds.

"Yes? How may I help you?"

"Er well, like I've said, I'm Lester Gibe and I'm here to offer you an- I mean several advertising opportunities. I'm from Lancer Advertising Groups and quite a number of companies have contacted us to have you advertise for them. There's coke...Erm Macdonalds...Nike...And yeah, the list goes on. So? You think you've got time to spare for a cup of coffee while discussing your bright future?" Lester enquired, eyes gleaming and grinning like an idiot.

"Well-"

"Debbie! What are you doing over there? Prize presentation's starting soon!"

"Oh ok, coming! I'm so sorry Mr. Gibe but as you can see, I've got other matters to attend to at the moment."

"Certainly. No problem. I can wait. Er, at the stands yeah."

Debbie was running towards the podium as the commentator announced the results.

"And now, presenting to you, the champion and new record holder for this year's Annual Gotham Cross Country Competition, give a hand for Debbie Homings!"

Applause resounded across the whole stadium accompanied by loud cheering and a few cries of ecstasy. Debbie stood on top of the podium, fist wrapped tightly around the handle of her trophy, sides of her mouth slanted upwards to the extreme, forming a megawatt smile.

The uproar soon died down as people shuffled out of the stadium.

"Hello again Miss Homings. So shall we continue where we left off?"

"Yeah sure-"

She stopped instantly as someone caught her eye.

Si Heng! Great!

"I'm so sorry but I'm sort of busy suddenly. Bye!"

Debbie grabbed her bag and trophy and ran after the boy that was currently exiting the stadium.

"Si Heng! Wait up!"

"Huh- Oh hi Debbie! You did great! I was watching you and you were amazing!"

Debbie's heart skipped a beat and she blushed.

"Wow thanks. You're great too! Lunch?"

"Sure. Where do you want to go?"

"Anything as long as you're happy- I mean anywhere you like!"

Stupid hormonal activity! Don't ruin this! It's like the first time eating with just the two of us! Focus!

"Haha ok. Italian for you?"

"Fine by me."

The lens above them focused. And the optical fibres paved the way for the information until it was transferred via a wireless network. Ten miles away, green words appeared on the monitor of a computer.

Media feed received at 11.47 am.

Location: Gotham Contemporary Stadium

*

"Erm Mr. Guard? Could you come over? Aunt Pamela says she has something to show you." the boy said with a fake smile plastered across his face, voice several pitches higher than before.

"Huh? Uh sure."

The guard walked towards the table and the boy started to rub his hands together.

"Brrr...It's certainly freezing in here. Mr. Guard? Could you just clasp my hands? To make them warmer?" the boy asked.

"Go on Peter. Then I can show you," Pamela said.

The guard smiled then put the boys hands in his and breathed on them.

"That better?"

"Thank you!"

"Now now Peter...Don't you think it's getting a little hot in here?" Pamela asked, giving a little pout.

"What? Uh yeah maybe. Come to think of it...It really is hot." the guard said.

Impossible...The air-conditioners here are much stronger than normal air-conditioners...It's like...14 degrees Celsius...Why am I feeling so warm suddenly?

Suddenly, the guard found himself unable to keep his eyes off Pamela.

What a tight ass...Smooth skin...Those thighs so juicy...And the chest...Enormous...

"That would be enough Peter. No need to look at me now when you can look as much as you want later?" Pamela said in a seductive voice, batting her eyelashes suggestively.

The guard's lips were dry. He could only just look, look and look.

"Now now listen carefully...You will attempt to rape me when I give you the cue. When you hear the word "lecher".-

Rape? Wonderful...I would love to rape you Pamela...

-And then you will punch the boy when he tries to stop you. Then you will point your gun at the boy but you will not shoot. You fill pretend that there are no bullets and reload. Then, you point your gun at the boy again. When the other guards come in, you will shoot one of them. You will also shoot all the security cameras. Got it?" Pamela instructed.

"Yes..." the guard droned.

"Good...Follow my instructions and then I will fulfill your sexual desires. But first, you will now listen to my sad story, pretend to comfort me and then look lecherously at me. All instructions after I give "Begin" don't count. Begin." Pamela continued.

Finally...Sex with Pamela...

The boy smiled. Pamela was good. He started acting out his part. He looked down, expression downcast.

"I...I really have no other person to confide in Peter. This...This boy here is my only living relation...He came to told me...My parents...Are d...dead...Oh this is so dreadful...Oh Peter..." Pamela lamented, face in her hands with tears streaming down.

"Death is inevitable Pamela. Come on now...Don't be sad. We all have to move on, " the guard said with a concerned expression as he slid his arm around Pamela's waist, a lecherous look on his face.

"Peter...Thank you...But-Hey! Let go of me! Let go of me you lecher!"

"Oh no Pamela...I'm going to take you here and now...And I won't stop until you're screaming in pain and begging me to stop."

"Oh my god, no! Let go of me!"

Pamela pushed the guard away but to no avail. The boy looked horrified.

My turn now. Now now...What should I use to attempt to stop this pathetic creature...Coup de pied then...The circular kick...Ok position...

And the boy's leg struck out and slammed into the guard's side. The guard was thrown sideways by the impact and slammed into a wall.

"You will not treat Aunt Pamela this way!" the boy shouted.

"Go! Go get help!" Pamela screamed.

The guard turned and stood up. Who dared to interrupt his sex session with Pamela...He took out his pistol from the holster and aimed it at the boy. He tried to shoot but somehow he couldn't.

Must be out of bullets. Never mind...I'll reload and destroy the only living witness...Haha...Then I can rape Pamela in peace...

He reloaded and then fingered his pistol as the boy frantically knocked on the door leading outside. The guard raised his pistol, about to shoot at the boy when three armed guards burst into the room. The guard fired repeatedly and so did the other three. And the result was four dead guards lying on the floor and a few pieces of scrap metal that were once state-of-the-art security cameras.

Pamela surveyed the debris in front of her. Simply perfect.

"All done. Now what? I can't just escape. They'll know I ran away."

"Not unless you're dead with the guards," the boy replied.

"And how do you propose I die without actually dying?"

"You're the expert in this field Pamela, you should know...Plant extracts can induce death-like states in humans..."

"Yes, but you would need a very strong poison...And it's antidote...Proportions must be specific...But the components would be in different plants...Some man-made even...The cocktail would be impossible to concoct...The different genetics in the plants and components of man-made chemicals will mess up the proportions. Very unpredictable...It's impossible...Unless..."

"I cross-breed. I have a degree in Botany like you Pamela. Not only that, but also in Plant genetics, Biochemistry and Linguistics."

"Genetically-modified plants...Interesting...I never thought of that...But you must be only...15 or 16...Your intellect is far too great for your age..."

"That I'll explain in due time. But first, this serum. It'll make you look as if you had an heart attack and died. I'll then collect you at the morgue."

"How can I trust you?"

"You'll have to."

Pamela was doubtful but she had no other viable options at the moment.

"Very well. I'll see you in the morgue then."

"And I'll go report your death as well as the four other guards'."

Pamela drank the serum and collapsed soon after.

The boy adjusted Pamela's body position. He looked at the guards' bodies and his eyes burned with hatred.

This is only the beginning. Only the beginning...You have no idea what I have in store for you...It'll certainly be interesting...Si Heng and Debbie.

Miscellaneous Chapter before Chapter 1

Disclaimer: Characters Bane, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Joker and Penguin belong to DC Comics. Non-profit story.

The boy looked at the apparatus in front of him. Syringes, test tubes, flasks and beakers. He shook his head in disapproval as he continued searching. He approached the "Confiscated highly dangerous items" section. There was an arsenal of weapons in front of him. The boy finally smiled.

There were coils of pipes that led to a button with the universal mark of death, a skull and crossbones. That was a sign in front of it that read "Bane". The boy moved on to the next "exhibit". A checkered red and black suit with a jester's hat to match. A gun with an over-sized barrel. "Harley Quinn" the next sign read. Nope, not what the boy was looking for. A canister of green liquid labelled "Joker Venom". An electric joy buzzer and a deck of playing cards. The next sign read "Joker". Oh, what a joke...How very funny...The item on the next stand looked ordinary. A sleek, sable umbrella. The sign there read "Penguin". It still wasn't what he was looking for.

Finally, the last stand. Three test tube cases lay there, labelled "Torture and death", "Paralysis and amnesia" and "Aphrodisiacs and antidotes" respectively. A pair of gloves and a green costume that seemed to be made entirely of out plant material. The sign read "Poison Ivy". Excellent.

The boy walked to the table with the apparatus, smiling to himself as he picked up a syringe. He then made his way to the "Poison Ivy" section. He filled the syringe, starting with "Aphrodisiacs and antidotes" and injected himself with the contents. Simply brilliant he thought. It took him ten minutes to finish injecting the entire contents of all the test tubes. He then moved on to "Paralysis and amnesia". There were even more test tubes than the previous case in this one. It hurt more. The boy didn't really like injections. He usually performed injections on others, not himself. But it would be all worth it he told himself. He drew the contents of the last test tube, and injected himself with them.

The boy inhaled, and then exhaled deeply. The last case was the most important one. The slightest mistake could cost him his life. But the antidotes that were injected would protect him, wouldn't they? He picked up the syringe, and found himself looking at his reflection on the surface of the metallic test tube case. Was this really what he wanted? His reflection could enlighten him...There was Superbia no doubt. And Ira. But there was Invidia...Why? And Industria...He thought back...Laughter...The innocent kind...Smiles...Fun...Could he possibly...Turn-

No! His brow creased as his expression hardened. Derisive laughter...Filled with mirth....Smirks...Snide remarks...Trampling...Death. He couldn't. He had gone two far now...Two thirds of the injections. It was impossible to turn back...Was it? There was glisten in his eyes. They were moist. It didn't matter now, nothing did.

He filled the syringe and injected. He repeated the procedure, again and again, ignoring the pain as his mind focused on its sole mission. And at last he was done. He put the test tubes, some empty, back into their respective cases and pocketed the syringe. He was about to leave when something else caught his eye. A pile of notes on a table with the heading "Pamela Isley". He was intrigued but furious as well. Dr. Hugo Strange dared to look into Poison Ivy's files...And for that, he shall pay. He took the notes as well as he left the office.

The boy knocked on the door thrice. There was a heading on the door that read "Security Operations" Yes. This was it. All the security cameras, recorders and whatnot. The door opened and there stood a man in his forties, balding with a pot belly.

"Hello...I-I seemed to have gotten lost..." the boy stammered.

"What are you doing here! Visiting hours are long over!"

"I-I-"

The boy's lower lip trembled as he peered up at the security operations manager. The manager's eyes softened as he looked at the boy. He sighed.

"Ok. Give me your name and address and we'll get your parents down here to pick you up."

It was time for a test. A poisonous test.

"I don't have parents." the boy said with a steely glint in his eye.

"Huh?"

The boy took a deep breath, and blew into the manager's face. The manager blinked once, twice and collapsed.

"Sweet dreams."