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Times Past, 1981 Batgirl and Robin
Seeds of Discontent
Prologue
A few weeks prior, a sporty car drove down a secluded dirt road in the hills. The road and car soon vanished beneath a canopy of fresh spring leaves and both finally came to a stop at a small building in an open glen. The car's engine was turned off, and the door of the driver's side of the vehicle opened. A high heeled, olive green sandal with a shapely female leg attached, stepped from the car.
Inside the small building, which was filled with various chemical stations and experiments in progress, a knock was heard on the door. A man, in his early thirties by appearance, with tufts of black hair at his temples on his otherwise bald head, looked up in surprise. "Someone here?" he muttered to himself. The thought of a visitor was startling.
Still, he wasn't without his resources.
The man in the white lab coat rose from his table and started across the room when another knock came. "Coming! Coming!" he shouted. Oh how he hated impatience! When he opened the door, cautiously, he was surprised and intrigued by the person he saw before him. "Yes? Why are you here?"
Standing in the doorway was a beautiful woman with long, flowing brownish-red hair. She wore an olive green jacket with matching short skirt and a white blouse, all which hugged and accented her curvaceous figure. "I've come a long way, professor," she said with a smile. "The drive was beautiful though. Very natural and secluded."
"Its meant to be secluded," the man said, slightly irate. "Again, why are you here?"
"I think this is something best discussed inside," the woman said as she tried to enter the building.
The man grabbed the door and started to close it on her. "I don't like visitors. I prefer my privacy. Unless you're having some kind of automotive trouble, I suggest you get in your car and leave."
She jut out her left hand to catch the closing door and held it fast. For a woman of her stature, she had considerable strength. "Please, professor, a moment of your time," she said. "We have a mutual acquaintance - David Clinton."
"Who?" the man asked. "I'm not so good with names."
"You might know him better as Chronos," she said. "And from talking with him, I believe that you and I would be good for one another."
The man eyed her. "I don't think you're my type," he said, "no offense."
The woman chuckled. "Oh, I'm not here for that, silly! Though I could tell. I have a way with most men, but you seem to be immune to that. There's something unique about you."
"Lady, you have no idea."
The woman nodded. "No, I'm here for another reason. I think we both share a bond, a common love."
The man was now intrigued and allowed the door to open again. "Really? What would that be?"
The woman was pleased that she seemed to be getting to him, which is what she hoped for all along. She stepped inside the building. He closed the door behind her.
"Our common interest," the woman answered, "would be the world of plants." She surveyed the equipment about the room with a glance then turned about to face the man again. "My name is Pamela Isley." She held out her hand. "But you might know me better as Poison Ivy."
Jason Woodrue's mouth upturned slightly as a light bulb went off in his head.
***
Late May, 1981:
It was midnight in the small, upstate New York college town of New Carthage. At a small factory warehouse on the edge of town, an unusual black van was parked at the back of the building. A man, dressed in all black clothes, poked his head out the open double doors of the vehicle and yelled softly towards the open back warehouse door. "Hurry it up, will ya? We ain't got all night!"
Two figures emerged from the warehouse, their arms heavily laden with dozens of fur coats of various sizes and textures. "You know, you could give us a hand, Larry!" one of the men groaned.
"Really!" the other grunted as they approached the vehicle.
Larry hopped down. "Someone's gotta be the look out!" he snapped back.
"Yeah?" a cheery voice called from the rooftop shadows. "If that's the case, I'd suggest you get another look out!"
There was a slight zinging sound as something cut through the night air. It became obvious what it was when a curved, metal-like object nailed Larry squarely in the temple.
As their partner fell to the ground hard, knocked unconscious by the hurled object, the two men saw the item had a bat-like shape to it. They whirled around quickly to where the voice had come from. "It's the Boy Wonder!" one of the men shouted. "Get 'em!" They dropped the furs to the ground and reached for their weapons.
Before they could fire, a figure with a bright red tunic swooped down from the shadows with a bright yellow cape trailing behind him. "'Boy Wonder'? 'Boy Wonder?'" he griped with a smile. "Come on, fellas!"
The man landed on his green booted feet and lunged forward with acrobatic precision, not allowing them to get him in their sights. Within a second, he was upon them both, his green gloved fists a swinging. "The only 'Boy Wonder' I see around here is - 'Boy! Wonder how come these crooks underestimate me?'"
His right fist connected with the first man's jaw, while he used his left elbow to jam the second one in the gut. All the while, he continued the playful patter. "I mean, really. What is it? Could it be the shorts?" He shoved the first man backward into the side of the van, and then used both free hands to grab the second guy about the shoulders. "Chicks love the tight shorts!"
Robin flipped the second man over his shoulder with a martial throw. "Still, if I have to wear a label, 'Teen Wonder' is preferred."
The first man was groaning, trying to reach for his gun on the pavement.
With a graceful kick of his foot, Robin sent the weapon skittering under the escape vehicle. "But even that's not gonna work for very long, given my age," the hero continued.
The first man tried to rise. Robin slammed one foot down on the center of the man's back, forcing him to the pavement once more. "Tell you what, guys?" he said, reaching to a compartment in his belt. "Since you aren't adding much to this discussion, why don't we ask the boys in blue?"
Just then, a trio of police cars tore into the parking lot, red lights blazing and sirens blaring. They pulled up in such a way as to block the criminal's van, not knowing it wasn't about to go anywhere.
The officers rushed out of their cars, and one of them in particular was very familiar with the hero and his work. He was pleased when he saw the hero tying the three captives up. "Guess you didn't need us this time," the officer said.
"Not to catch them," Robin said with a smile, "but booking them? Yeah, you guys can do that." He stood and approached the senior officer. "They're all yours, Lt. McDonald. I think the situation speaks for itself."
Frank McDonald nodded. "Thanks a lot, Robin. We've been hunting down these fur thieves for awhile now. Don't know what we'd do without your help sometimes."
"We're all on the same team," the nineteen year old hero said. "But I best be going!"
"Another case to work on?" McDonald asked.
"Something like that," the hero said. Robin disappeared around the corner then ran down the way to where his custom red motorcycle had been stashed.
As he started the cycle with a kick-jump, he noticed the time on the dashboard. 12:10. Great! I hope I have enough coffee back at the apartment. Tonight's studying for my finals will definitely be an all-nighter! The costumed figured raced down the road. Still, once I'm done with that, I can relax a bit while I pack my bags for...
***
Washington, DC:
Congress was in session on Capital Hill, and the American system of government was operating as it forefathers had devised. Standing before a packed session in one of the legislative buildings, a red haired woman dressed in a navy blue jacket and matching skirt with a white blouse underneath glanced down at her note cards.
A panel of five Congressmen sat at the raised table before the podium. An older man, full in face and with slightly graying hair, addressed the woman. "The Speaker now recognizes Congresswoman Gordon from the state of New Jersey."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker," Barbara Gordon said confidently. The young woman, in her mid-twenties, had only been a member of Congress for about a year and half now. But, with proper guidance from a few seasoned representatives, she had learned the ways of the Hill rather quickly. Sometimes, though, it was a lot easier for her facing the likes of crime bosses and two-bit thugs as Batgirl than it was trying to get the Republicans and the Democrats to come together on a cause. Still, today, she had to try.
"My fellow representatives," Barbara began, "I stand before you today as the sponsor of a very important bill. As many of you know, our Capital has growing needs, needs that can be only satisfied with some expansion projects.
"Unfortunately, this new proposed construction could lead to a costly conclusion. No, I am not speaking of the tax increases that naturally would trickle down to all the American people. I am talking, instead, about the cost to the rich heritage and historical backdrop of this very Capital city.
"Washington is known for its beautiful cherry orchards, whose blossoms fill the springtime air with beautiful colors and wafting smells. The trees have been growing here for nearly two hundred years, some as old as our nation itself. They are a symbol of our democracy in action. And, I need not remind you of the historical significance of the cherry tree with our very first president, George Washington, himself.
"The bill I am about to outline for you this afternoon will allow for the Capital to have its expansion while sparing a large portion of the cherry blossoms." And with that introduction, Barbara Gordon launched into the major portion of her presentation.
When she completed her presentation, the Speaker of the House recessed the session for the day. "I will give everyone the weekend to review the materials that Congresswoman Gordon's team has provided," he said. "We will reconvene on Monday for the vote." He pounded the gavel twice, adjourning the session.
Barbara Gordon was gathering her things when a man in a brown suit came up to her. "You did good up there, Barbara," he said in a congratulatory way.
"Thanks, Walter," she replied. "But we haven't won this one yet."
"You have to be confident," Walter Reilly replied. "This is something that the people are behind, and, believe me, the Congress doesn't want to have more protesters on their hands."
"Beyond the usual environmental ones?" Barbara asked.
"Those are given," the older Congressman, in his late thirties, replied. "No, I'm talking about lay men protests. Groups like the Daughters of the American Revolution, for example. And, you know, my daughter Lorainne and a group at her school are behind this movement too."
Barbara smiled. "Good to see teenagers who are actively involved in their civic duties."
Walter nodded. "Yes, she's a good kid." The two started to head out. "Let me walk you out. You might need to some help running interference."
Barbara tilted her head curiously. "Why?"
"Are you kidding?" Walter said. "This topic's a hot one with all the local television and radio stations, not to mention the press. Someone has to help you when all those microphones get shoved in your face."
"Sure you're not trying to get some camera time for yourself?" Barbara said with a wink.
"Hey, it can't hurt come re-election time," Walter said.
Barbara nodded. "Okay," she said. "Besides, I have to get over to the airport and pick up a friend who is arriving tonight. If I can minimize the delays, that will help in the long run." The two headed out the doors of the chamber and into the frenzied corridor. There were flashes from cameras and lots of shouting of questions.
"See," Walter said as he kept Barbara close. "I told you there was a lot of interest in this bill..."
***
Not far away, a pair sat in a hotel room watching the evening news. "And that was the scene today on Capital Hill..." an announcer said as scenes were shown of the frenzy after the Congressional session let out.
"Congresswoman Gordon had this to say earlier..." the announcer continued as the image changed.
The red haired woman was shown responding to an unaired question. "This is a very important national issue as well as a local one," said Barbara as her name flashed below her image.
Pamela Isley was quiet as the name registered. "The Commissioner's daughter...?" she asked herself softly.
"This is your cause, Ivy?" a figure said from the corner. With the curtains drawn, the man was free to shed the rubberized mask he wore as a diguise, allowing his true form to stand exposed. He was covered from head to toe in a leafy green substance, with vines and such criss-crossing his outer 'skin'.
"Yes, Woodrue," the woman replied.
"Call me 'Floronic Man'," Jason Woodrue corrected her.
"Fine," she replied.
"We're here about cherry blossoms?" The plant man was obviously a bit agitated.
"Its more than just that!" Pamela replied. "Environmental issues are very important to me. The governments of the world, in the name of progress, destroy more and more of this world's natural resources every day. This world screams out, her plants mowed down to make room for more buildings and concrete travesties.
"Yes, this is a smaller item on the agenda, but it is one that can make a statement! By striking here, at the heart of the Capital of one of the greatest countries in the world, we will send a message to all the rest of the nations."
"Bah!" the Floronic Man said. "I don't care about educating the masses of this world."
"But you care about the green," she reminded him. "That is our overall priority, is it not?" Pamela approached him and ran her slender fingers against his vegetative hide. "We're doing this for the plants who cannot defend themselves."
The Floronic Man nodded. "When do we strike?"
"Soon," Pamela said with a gleam in her eyes. "Just let me slip into my working clothes..."
***
A dark haired young man stepped out of the boarding ramp with his carry on bag slung over his shoulder. He glanced about for a second before catching sight of the person he had been looking forward to seeing all day. With a wave, he called out "Barbara" as he moved across the gate area.
"Dick!" Barbara Gordon exclaimed. "Good to see you." She gave him a friendly embrace.
"Good to see you too," Dick Grayson said, holding on the hug a little longer. Then, he removed his arms. "How are things?"
"Crazy," Barbara said as they started to walk down to baggage claim. "I'm so glad you'll be working as an aide for me over your summer break. I can really use the help."
"I'm glad too," Dick said with a smile. "It'll be nice to spend some time together after... well... you know."
Barbara gave him a curious look.
"You know," Dick said. "A couple months back, the 'isle of a thousand thrills'."
"Oh right," Barbara said, making the connection. "Sorry, I kind of forgot."
"Who can forget dinosaurs, warriors from the future and the Spanish Inquisition?" he asked.
"True," she said. "That all was a bit unexpected."
"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" Dick laughed.
Barbara laughed too after getting the reference. The two got Dick's bags and headed for her car in the parking deck. Once the bags were in the trunk, they climbed into the car, and she pulled out of the space.
"Say, speaking of then," she said, "did you ever tell Batman about...you know...us...?"
"The kiss?" Dick said.
Barbara frowned. She realized the young man had a one track mind about certain things. "No! Not that. I meant about us figuring out each other's secret identities."
"No," Dick shook his head. "I've been so busy of late that I haven't really talked with him much. Besides, I don't think its a big deal. He is the world's greatest detective, after all. I wouldn't be too surprised if he knew who you were under your mask for some time now."
"Really?" Barbara said.
"Yeah, but I doubt he'd let on even if he does know," Dick said. "He's kind of quiet that way sometimes. But don't worry, if he does know, you know the secret is safe with him."
Barbara nodded in agreement. She felt bad about bringing the subject up now, so she decided to change it. "Did you get any food on the flight?" she asked.
"Just some peanuts," Dick frowned. "I could definitely go for something. Know of any good late night food spots?"
"I can think of one or two..."
"Good," Dick said as they drove. "So, what passes for fun in this town?"
***
"Sorry for the fast food," Barbara Gordon apologized as she drove.
"'so 'kay," Dick Grayson replied as he scarffed down a Big Belly burger. "This works for me."
Barbara finished the last of her fries before the light changed. She turned left on the signal and headed down towards the downtown area. In the early evening light, the lights bounced off the Washington Memorial. "Mind if we make a slight detour?"
"Sure," Dick said before taking a big drink of his soda. "What for?"
"Remember I was telling you about that bill?" She watched Dick nod in agreement, straw still in mouth. "Well, the site for the proposed office building that would tear into the cherry groves is just up ahead. I wanted to get a couple evening shots with my camera."
"Sounds good to me," Dick said. Then, when he glanced forward, he saw a surprising sight.
"Uh, Babs?" he asked. "Is it just my being tired from the flight, or do you see what I see?"
Barbara Gordon slammed on the brakes in surprised. She took it all in for a second and then said, "it's not just you..."
Large vines were whipping out of the tops of the cherry trees, striking at the walkers and couples who were passing by. The people were screaming out of shock and panic.
"Looks like something we better investigate," Barbara said. "You pack your gear?"
"Like American Express," Dick said already reaching for the door, "I never leave home without it!"
***
Poison Ivy stood with her hands on her hips, her body covered by the skintight green costume with leaf styled trim and accessories. She smiled as she watched the cherry trees lashing out against the residents of the nation's capital. "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"
The Floronic Man grimaced a bit. While he was no stranger to manipulating the primitive terran plants to do his bidding and they so easily responded to his commands, he still questioned the motivation behind it. "Is the kind of statement you had in mind, Ivy?" he asked as he watched the innocent civilians fleeing. "How will this make those that devastate the green pay for their acts?"
Ivy frowned slightly. "Don't suck the fun out of it, plant man."
"Where's the destruction you promised then, hmmm?"
Poison Ivy rolled her eyes. "Fine!" She glanced about then caught sight a number of large, parked construction machines. "There! Go ahead and trash those if you want!" She then reached into the folds of her costume and produced a rather large seed like item. "And here! Let me give you something to work with!"
As she hurled the seed down to the ground before them, the outer shell of the item split open. A huge vine like construct began to spill forth from the opening, expanding upon contact with both the air and the soil.
The Floronic Man watched eagerly as the plant grew to the size of a man in seconds and kept growing faster still. "Impressive," he admitted.
Poison Ivy gave him a little wink. "See, I have my dark side too, sweetie."
"Then allow me to continue," the plant master replied. With a thought, the Floronic Man's mind reached out to the plant creature, guiding it with his own desires. The huge vine like thing plowed across the ground like a shark through the waves, bearing down upon a nearby bulldozer. By the time it reached the machine, its mass, speed and momentum were enough to topple the machine onto its side with a huge crash.
"What do we have here?" a voice boomed from above. "Some refugees from the 'Little Shop of Horrors'?"
Ivy spun around, knowing the voice. "Robin!" she hissed as she saw the red, green and yellow clad figure swooping down upon them. "Don't tell me that you and Batman trailed me from Gotham!"
"Nope!" the young male said as he reached to his utility belt and tossed something at the destructive vine that was head back his way. "I could smell a couple stinkweeds like you two miles away!" The object hit the plant, and immediately the vine-monster was engulfed in flames.
The plant writhed in pain; the Floronic Man grabbed his temples as he couldn't break his mental bond with the plant creature fast enough. "Aaaaaaahhhhh!"
Ivy screamed too. "My baby!" She glared at the teen wonder. "You'll pay for that, bat-brat! Floronic Man, get him!"
The plant man's eyes narrowed in fury. "My pleasure!" Suddenly, his two arms lunged forward, elongating across the twenty feet between he and Robin. His plan - to catch the hero in a deadly, crushing embrace!
"Whoa!" Robin flipped backwards, avoiding the left hand's snapping claw. The right came crashing down upon him, grazing the right side of his body. "Ughh! He's fast and freaky!"
"Destroy him!" Ivy shouted. "That will send a message to all those who attack nature! Nature will fight back!"
"Oh please!" another voice called from the air as a gray clad woman in a dark blue cape swung onto the scene on a thin rope line. "While I agree with your cause, Ivy, your approach is all wrong!" With her free hand, Batgirl tossed a batarang with an attached line. As the batarang sailed around its intended target, the rope ensnared Ivy about the waist. Batgirl land on her own two feet and gave the rope a good solid tug with both hands. The villainess was jerked off her feet.
"Better listen to her, Ivy," Robin quipped as he tried to avoid the plant man's crushing grasp. "Batgirl knows all about pulling a few strings to get what she wants."
"Ugh, ah!" Ivy grunted as she struggled with the ropes that bound her. "Come over here and I'll scratch your eyes out!"
"No way, Ivy," Batgirl said as she kept her distance. "Your poison tipped nails are deadly to the touch, but they've got to touch first!" She reached into her utility built once more, grabbing a small pellet and tossing it to the ground near Ivy's feet.
A cloud of specialized smoke shot up and surrounded the red haired felon. "Ugh...cough...no fair!" Poison Ivy choked.
Batgirl shook her head. "I think a little knockout gas is perfectly pair game when dealing with the likes of you."
"Flor...cough...Woodrue!" Ivy started to feel a bit light headed. "...help...cough...me..." She then dropped to the ground, slipping into a deep sleep.
The Floronic Man saw her fall and cursed. "Damn it! Never should have trusted a fleshling female! What was I thinking?"
Robin and Batgirl both moved cautiously about him, trying to corner him. "Maybe you were thinking about what a sap you were?" the male hero quipped. "Nothing to be ashamed of, mind you. Ivy's got a way with men."
"Don't insult me by comparing me with other men!" the Floronic Man exclaimed. "I am the master of plants!" Suddenly, the vines from the cherry trees that had been attacking the crowds began to lash out against the heroes.
"Batgirl!" Robin cried out as he saw one of the vines strike her hard from behind. It knocked her to the ground unexpectedly.
The Floronic Man darted off, heading for an area of deep vegetation.
"Robin, I'll be fine!" Batgirl called as she struggled to free her leg from a rather over amorous vine. "Get him!"
Robin nodded and took of sprinting after the fleeing plant man.
As the hero dove into the brush, he found the brush striking back at him! Branches to his face and torso, thorny vines to his bear legs. Robin blocked out the stinging of the pain and continued to press onward, determined. "You won't....oooof.... get away, plant man!" The young hero pressed on further despite the obstacles. His quarry never looked back.
Suddenly, a root caught under Robin's left toes and tripped him up. He fell to the ground hard. "Uggghhh!" By the time he got up, seconds later, the Floronic Man was nowhere to be seen. Robin cursed himself silently.
With the villain gone, the plants returned to their normal selves. Robin had no opposition as he returned to Batgirl and the captive Ivy. "He got away," Robin said disappointed.
"We got one of them," Batgirl said indicating the fallen woman. "And call it a hunch, but I have a feeling she was behind this little attack."
"I suppose," Robin said. "I guess her partner will turn up again, sooner or later."
"No doubt," the heroine agreed. "Let's turn this one over to the authorities."
"Right." Robin carefully scooped Ivy up in his arms, watching out for her hands.
Batgirl frowned slightly at the woman. Kind of a shame here, she thought to herself. Obviously Ivy has a passion for the environment, yet her approach seems no better than those who go and exploit it for their own gains.
Robin noticed his sometimes partner was quiet. "What'cha thinking, red?"
"Just wondering if folks like Ivy might ever see that there are ways to accomplish their goals within the guidelines of the system."
Robin shrugged his shoulders. "That would be nice," he said. "If they did, it'd certainly make things easier for folks like you and I."
"True, true," Batgirl agreed with him.
Epilogue
"The final tally of the vote...sixty nine percent in favor, thirty one percent against," the speaker of the house announced. "The bill proposed by Congresswoman Gordon passes."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker," Barbara said, and she sat back down.
Dick Grayson, dressed in a brown suit, sat behind her along with Walter Reilly. Walter was beaming. "It passed," Dick whispered to the other man. "That's great."
"Still has to get past the White House to be signed into law," Walter whispered back. "But I don't think that'll be a problem." He glanced back up at Barbara as others were quietly congratulating her too. "She's really something, eh, Dick?"
Dick Grayson nodded in agreement. "One in a million," he whispered back. It was going to be an interesting summer.