Inflorescence • Poison Ivy's Daughter

chapter thirty one ~ showtime

Her comm crackled in her ear as Selina's voice come through, "Showtime."

Glittering shards explode all over the room as a large stain glass window shatters around a motorbike flying into the room. People scream and scrabble for the exit, unable to open the large wooden doors.

'What th-' Dick started to move, but Bella grasped his wrist and twisted behind him locking him in a tight hold, both arms wrapped around his neck as her vines eloped him. 'What...'

Bella hushed him to be quiet, 'I mean you can't be too surprised, that'll be straight insanity at this point.'

'And this isn't' Dick gasped, looking at the motorbike skidding to a halt in the middle of the marble floor.

'Fair point, she is the queen of it.'

As the rider removed their helmet, platinum blonde hair spilt out. With a cool gaze, she slipped off her bike, adjusting her golden mini dress to cover slightly more than it had been and began to walk towards the crowd, heavy duty platformed boots stomped on the marble floor drawing attention from the exits and towards her.

'Get them under control, Harley. There are too many eyes." Selina spoke again.

In a quick swip, she slung her shotgun from around her shoulder to under her elbow and fired at the ceiling. People screamed some started crying but now all eyes were on Harley.

Her red lips split open into a manic grin as she chuckled slightly deliriously, 'What a riot. You guys sure know how to through a shindig aye.' Her baby blue eyes snapped to where Bella was. With a smile, she started to skip over to her.

Slowly Bella unlatched her arms, the vines chaining Dick to the floor. 'Just go with it. We're not planning on hurting anyone.' she hissed quickly before she stepped back.

'You think that makes it okay?' Dick snapped, glaring over his shoulder. Bella averted her gazed to Harley as she reached them.

'Hows it going Junior?' She grinned leaning into his face. 'People like you don't they?'

Dick's brows furrowed in confusion, Harleys grin widened, 'Of course they do, look at those eyes. I'm practically melting here and you're not even my type.' Her eyes darted to Bella, 'You were right about this one flower, a real diamond, perfect bait.'

Dick couldn't help but raise an eyebrow over at Bella, who sent him a murderous glare. But even her mask couldn't hide the blush rising on her cheeks. Dick bit back a smile of humour, it wasn't the time nor place. She was making him forget that she had a dangerous effect on him and his judgement.

'Showtime girls,' Selina whispered, with a manic edge of excitement.

Bella took a deep breath and began to speak. 'We apologise for the interruption, ladies and gentlemen.' her voice echoed around the room, beautiful and with authority. 'But we've decided on a change of plans.'

'That's right folks,' Harley continued, passing around large silk sacks 'We've decided to take a more direct approach to raisin' money'

'You are all are going to put your best efforts into raising a sizable amount,.' Bella smirked, and with that Dick saw the girl he had been dancing with, the girl who saved his life, the girl with the dead brother and evil father, vanished. In her place was Belladonna, selfish, bloodthirsty and seductive. Her green eyes glowed as she spoke. 'For the life of Richard Grayson.'

A large shadow passed across the dome skylight. The civilians were too busy crying and emptying their pockets to notice but the three of them did. Dick couldn't help but smirk and it took all Bella's will power not to punch it off his face. She looked to Harley, who looked back to her with wide eyes, 'Looks like Batsy has joined the party' she grinned. Just loud enough for her voice to be heard over the comms.

'As predicted,' Selina's reply came, 'Follow the play.'

'Aye aye, Captain.' Harley giggled as she gathered a grappling hook from the back of her bike and aimed it at the skylight. 'Good luck flower.' she chimed as she shot up at the open panel of the light and with unnatural grace, twisted her way through, into the night air.

A few civilians noticed the departure of Harley and were reevaluating the situation. Bella could see it in their eyes... Arrogance. That was dangerous, she was going to have to destroy all confidence they had in controlling this situation. She glared at a man who sat there, head unbowed and simply passed on the sack as it came to him.

'You!' Bella yelled, satisfied in the way her voice boomed and echoed in the hall, the man froze. 'Stand.' she ordered.

Slowly the man rosed, his face was contorted as if suppressing a grin. That look boiled Bella's blood.

'Bella', she heard Dick hiss a warning behind her. She didn't grant him as much as a hesitation before she cracked her fist across the man jaw. The man cried out, crumbling to the floor.

'Empty your pockets.' Bella demanded. The man didn't move from the floor, his head clearly spinning as blood and drool dribbled down his chin. But she couldn't back down, she pulled back her fist again as the man struggled to his feet. A high whistle sounded through the air and a searing pain shot through Bella's arm. She gasped against the pain and in confusion look down to see her wrist had an arrow protruding from it.

'I think you've had enough fun, for now, plant girl.' A girls voice echoed through the hall. Bella glared up, eye's blazing.

'And who the fuck are you?'

From the shadows emerged a girl. Dressed in purple leather, with strawberry curls spilling from her cowl shaped like a bat.

You have got to be kidding me.