My Best Friend Harley Quinn

Eleven

The sand from the beach digs into my skin as I fall onto it. The wind is knocked right out of me and I struggle to breath. I lay as I stare up at the unforgiving sun. I hear yelling from up above me. I shield my eyes and see the Amazonians at the ledge of the cliff staring down at me.

"Zoey! Are you alright?" Queen Hippolyta appears near the edge. I struggle to sit up. I then realize how far I have fallen. I look around myself and see my sword laying on the sand next to me. 

"Yeah!" I yell up. I use my arms to lift myself off of the sand. I hear a distant galloping of hooves on the sand. I brush the sand off of my arms and my body. I feel sick to my stomach and my body aches.

But, I feel a smile reach my face. 

The Amazonians on the horses reach me. I take my sword and replace it in its sheath.

"A fall like that would injury any human, even a woman." The Amazonian Althea speaks at me from her horse. I give a pained laugh.

"Well, we can thank ARGUS for the lack of injury. It's too bad that I can still feel the same pain."

Althea gives a smug grin and holds her hand out to me. Her face drops when she looks at my injured arm.

"Why are you turning green?" 

I look down to see my arm beginning to turn a faint shade of green. I cover it with my other hand but the green begins to spread.

"Uh- uh- it's a skin condition I have, when I get hurt, from, from the, from the lab testing that ARGUS did on me." I stutter out. She sits back and re-offers me her hand.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, it's almost like a battle scar." She smiles. I put my hand down and reach for hers. She pulls me on top of the horse with her.

"Thank you." I wrap my arms around her. We ride back up the cliffs and back to the palace of Themsicara. Queen Hippolyta stands on the steps and watches as Althea stops her horse and climbs down. She helps me down as well.  We walk up the steps to the queen.

"You had quite a fall." She smiles gently and looks down at my injuries.

"I guess my clumsy humanity got in the way." I joke. She gives a soft laugh and motions me towards the palace. We walk up the rest of the steps and go inside. Althea takes her leave and soon it is only the queen and I walking.

"You've only been here two weeks and you've made an impression on much of the Amazonians."

"I'm glad. They've made quite the impression on me as well." I smile. She nods her head. 

"However, I know you have not been quite honest with us. I was wary of Diana bringing you here, knowing that you once served her enemy, but you have proven yourself worthy of our training. I want you to prove yourself worthy of our loyalty as well."

I look down at the ground as we walk. I stop next to a column. 

"What do you wish to know from me, my queen?" 

She stops and turns back to look at me. She lifts my chin and I look at her.

"Who are you? Your name is not Zoey Hinter, it never has been. What is your true name, where did you come from?" She speaks in a stern voice. I look at her and feel a sadness that I have never felt before.

"My name is-" I feel the name get caught in my throat. "Pamela."

"Pamela?"

"Pamela Isley, I was a botanist in Gotham, before I was captured by ARGUS. They rearranged me, gave me abilities. I had come into contact with poisonous plants that changed me, they found a way to militarize them." 

I begin to cry.

The queen places one of her hands on my shoulder. She takes a deep breath in and wraps her arms around me.

"You don't have to worry anymore Pamela, your curse may be a gift if you use it correctly." She whispers into my ear. I sniffle and stop crying. After a few deep breaths, I pull away from the queen and wipe the tears from my puffy eyes.

"You think I can control it?"

"I believe anyone can control their fate if they so please." She smiles. I nod slowly and look away.

"Do not be ashamed of the green, it makes you different, and it makes you look beautiful. Perhaps it is time you let it show." She speaks softly.

I look down at my arm. The green is spreading.

"You know what they called me?" I watch as the green moves up to my shoulder. I can feel my skin changing on my neck.

"What did they call you?"

I feel the hair on my body change to the fiery red. My body tingles as the green changes to a complete green. I crack my neck and grab my sword from it's sheath. The queen takes a cautious step back. I look at myself in the sword.

"Poison Ivy."

My voice is different. It feels slightly rugged and soothe.

"Pamela?"

I stare at myself in the reflection of the sword.

Two fighting personalities could come at any moment. One created from chemicals, and the other created by ARGUS.

I fight to claim dominance over the evil personality. I push against the thoughts of murder and hate, or rage and revenge.

I can hear some of the Amazonians coming closer. They have their swords drawn and they're ready to protect their queen.

You can't beat me again Pamela.

Yes I can.

I've been trapped so long, my children have called for me.

I let out a scream as I feel the pressure inside my body become filled with pain.

I won't let you win!

I take one final push against Poison Ivy and fall to the ground.

I look around and see that there are plants growing around me. My skin is green.

However, there is not a second voice in my head, only me.

I stand up and look around.

"Zoey?" Althea asks. I see her through the tall vines that have grown around me.

"Althea?" I smile. I have my hand and the vines subside. All of the foliage leaves and I can see the Amazonians look at me in awe.

"What are you?" Althea asks. She's scared but also curious. I look down at my body, I smile nervously.

"My name is Pamela Isley." I laugh. "And I can control plants."