Inflorescence • Poison Ivy's Daughter

twenty three ~ unmasked

Gun. Guns. so many guns. Almost an entire army stood on the other side of the door. Muscled men all with heavily armed machines, all except the one in the middle. A man with wired spectacles and a white lab coat.

'Looks like we're here again, Kora. The same situation as last time. I cannot say I not extremely disappointed.'

Bella stiffed slightly, 'I'm disappointed to father. I thought you would have learned after the last time. Having more firepower isn't going to help.'

The man chuckled slightly. 'I know that girl. You're practically invincible, I've made sure of that.'

'Then what's with the theatrics.' Bella said her voice sharper than before, panic.

The smile didn't falter from Dr. Woodrue's face, 'The theatrics, my dear, are for your little friend. Don't you think he'd like to see how much of a freak you really are?'

Bella when ridged under Robin, the muscles in her back terse. Slowly Robin slid himself from her back leaving an arm around her shoulder to balance his unsteady feet. 'Don't you think this is a bit much.' He said, gesturing to the surrounding men. We're just kids.'

The Dr's gaze flickered to his, 'The girl you are referring to as "just a kid", is deadlier than all these men combined. Do you have any idea what we are referring to when we mention the last time.'

Robin didn't answer.

'We're talking about the last time Kora escaped when she was nine. Leaving a body count of 47 in her wake.'

Robins' eyes turned to Bella, but she was staring intensely at the floor with wide eyes full of horror. Her hands were pulled so tightly into fists that they shook, a droplet of blood spilling from them.

'You're sick.' Robin hissed. Bella flinched at his words. 'The fact that you made a child, a child! Have to commit murder in order to be free of you. You are so absolutely disgusting, probably one of the most despicable human beings I've ever met. And you can trust me when I say, that's pretty damn impressive.'

'Don't defend me.' Bella whispered, but Robin just patted her back slightly. Man, he wasn't very good at this reassuring stuff.

Dr. Woodrue just blinked at him. 'It's easy to pretend to be righteous, boy, but you don't get to when you're hidden by a mask.' He pulled a small glass tube from the pocket of his coat, 'I'm sure everyone's dying to know who the true boy wonder is.' he dropped the flask to the ground and almost immediately the air filled with a thick smog. Robin coughed against it and Bella began to double over, he rushed in front of her to hold her steady. Through the smoke he could see her skin was now covered in a spread of green veins, her eyes were squeezed tight in pain.

'Is is poisonous?' Dick hissed, a sudden wave of panic spreading through him.

Bella shook her head, a slight smile on her lips, 'Only to plants.' She looked up at him and her eyes widened, 'Grayson?'

Sudden realization shook Dick, his hand jerking up to his face to find the mask of leaves had disappeared. The mist was beginning to clear as pure dread settled at the pit of his stomach. It was all over, he had messed up. They were going to find out who he was, and once they were finished with him, they would move onto Bruce. Then he wouldn't even have the illusion of a normal life again. Shit.

A gentle touch startled him from his thoughts and he became away of the hot tears on his cheeks as Bella pulled him closer to her, burying his head on chest. When she spoke her voice was soft and gentle, like a lullaby, 'It's okay, no one saw don't worry. Just close you're eyes, keep them shut. I'm going to take care of this.'

Despite her soft words, Dick could hear the dangerous edge to them. Slowly he breathed the word, 'Okay.'

The moment he had said it he felt the world around him erupt in chaos. Screams of terror filling the air. Dick flinched making himself smaller and Bella tightened her grip on him, either in reassurance or in fear herself. The earth trembled beneath his feet, and he heard the whistle of gunfire around him. Then nothing, just silence.

But Dick couldn't stop trembling, his heart beating fast and hard in his chest. Bella could feel his heartbeat on his skin. Gently, she let go of him and took his hand in hers. Dick looked up to find she was dragging him through a field of bodies.

'Are they...'

'Unlikely,' Bella answered, her voice neutral. 'I used a gas to knock most of them out.'

Without the surrounding firepower, he took in his surroundings. He could see they were in a forest, tall canopies stretching overhead, through them were stars. So many stars shining in the sky the glittering water. Dick gasped audibly.

Bella's head turned slightly and followed his gaze. 'You don't see this in Gotham do you.'

'Never.' Dick breathed.

She stared at him a moment longer, conflict written on her face. But she just shook her head and turned back to leading him through the forest.

'What about your father?' Dick asked after a moment.

Bella didn't turn around, just pointed over her shoulder.

Dick turned to see a figure enveloped by vines, dragging on the dirt behind it. Maybe it was shock or delirium, or a combination of the two. But Dick couldn't help but snort a laugh. Bella turned back, her bottled green eyes meeting his blue ones, and to both of their suprise and despite everything, she laughed with him.