***

The alarm was echoing down the halls of the asylum, yet along with the alarm came chaos. It seemed that Harley caused a lot more trouble than the guards at Arkham were equipped to handle. Inmates were running rampant through the halls most of them harmless, but one could only imagine that the more dangerous residents were also on the loose.

"Would it be that bad if we let Harley kill Joker?" I muttered softly under my breath as walked through the hall, unsure exactly where we were headed. They could have Joker locked away anywhere, though he was far too dangerous to be placed with the average inmate. "I mean the city might actually see her as a hero."

"Its not The Joker we're protecting." Selina quickly reminded me though to me it seemed that Ivy was in more danger that Harley. Ivy wasn't thinking clearly and there was no doubt in my mind that she would tear down the entire building in search of Harley. "We're going to have to split up."

My eyes widened as I looked at her with a hint of uncertainty. With some of Gotham's worst running through the halls I didn't even want to consider running into Killer Crock or Deathstroke. "Nothing good ever happens when people say those words."

Selina seemed slightly amused at my words but quickly slipped into the seriousness of the current situation that we now found ourselves in. "The Bat and his Robin will be here any minute now. Maybe they're already here, we'll cover more ground this way."

Nothing else needed to be said as we went our separate ways, though it was easier said then done when having to deal with loose inmates. But the farther underground I went I knew that I had to be getting closer to The Joker's location as the empty cells labeled with the names of notorious Gotham villains became more common.

The sound of an explosion had me immediately running down the hall and around to corner towards the source of the sound, which went against my natural instinct to run the other direction. But the thought of one of the girls being in danger pushed me forward until I froze at the sight of a room coated in what seemed like mud. Though as the mud like substance began to move on its own it was difficult to look anywhere other than Robin who was laying on the floor a couple of feet away from me. He must have been thrown back from the explosion that created this mess.

"Hope I'm not disturbing anything." I stated as I looked down at him really not appreciating the drastic turn of events. Some part of me even hoped that I would have run into Batman himself again, even if that guaranteed me never leaving this building.

His eyes narrowed as he immediately got back on his feet. "I feel very turbed."

"Well, once you're done feeling... turbed maybe you can finally take care of him." I stated as I looked back at who I now recognized as Clayface, who was slowly began to come together again after whatever Dick had done to him previously.

"Like you could do better." He challenged and I couldn't help but steal another look at Clayface who was almost back to his full form. I didn't have time to waste here when my friends were in danger and the last thing that this city needed was Clayface on the street again. This was something that I knew I would instantly regret but there was no time and it was a risk that needed to be made.

The lights around us began to flicker as I began to redirect the electricity to Clayface's growing form. The instant that the electric current made contact with the monster it caused him to almost turn to stone as he immediately fell unconscious. It was a temporary solution but making sure that he was locked away was not my responsibility.

The silence that followed reminded me that I was not really alone, and what I could only describe as fear began to run through me at the thought of turning around to meet his eyes. I was surprised to find that they only seemed confused but as my name beginning to form on his lips and instinctively raised my hand not prepared for his hatred or disappoint meant just yet. Not sparing another thought I released an electric current at his too, one that Fighting tat instinct to make sure that he was okay I left to continue my search for the other Siren's, having to comfort myself with the knowledge that he was his suit had him well protected against threats like me.

The Joker's maniacal laugh echoed through the hall and I knew that I was headed in the right direction, but undeniably the sound of his laughter mad my skin crawl. Until this point I had been one of the lucky citizens in Gotham who hadn't had an encounter with the Clown Prince of Crime.

As I stepped over all the unconscious guards I found it hard to believe that Harley could cause this much chaos in such short amount of time. The sight before me was horrifying because not only was the room scattered with more unconscious bodies, some of them more than unconscious by the blood splattered across the walls but Ivy's vines were also wrapped around the room. Ivy, Harley and Selina were already inside the tension between them was practically visible. The Joker's laughter continued and as I searched the room I finally spotted him wrapped tightly in vines from his spot high against the wall.

"Ivy put him down." Harley yelled as she held on tightly to her mallet as she clutched a purple duffle bag tightly in another. This was a side of Harley that I had never seen before as she looked at Ivy with unmistakable hatred. I momentarily met Selina's eyes and saw my worry reflected in them. "Put my Puddin' down!"

"Listen to me. We've been friends for a very long time." ivy argued doing her best to keep her emotions locked away, something that came natural to her. But now it seemed that she was moments away from losing her grip on them. "But if you don't come with me. That friendship is over. I saved you from him and from yourself too many times I'm sick of it. So what's it gonna be? Him or me?"

Harley didn't even blink as she raised her mallet running toward Ivy with anger and malice, even Ivy seemed surprised as her eyes widened. But Ivy didn't hesitate either as with a simple of her wrist a vine came forward instantly knocking Harley down. This act only increased The Joker's laughter, he didn't seem worried about the fact that he was currently entrapped in deadly vines. He only seemed to be enjoying the show that was unfolding before him.

"What's wrong with you? This isn't you!." Ivy yelled frustration beginning to seep into her voice, she usually had so much patience with Harley. Seeing Ivy this disappointed and irritated at her was unusual. "This isn't the Harley I know. This isn't the way you are when you're not around him!"

"How do you know that Harley isn't the fake one? How do you know this isn't the real me?"

"No. I refuse to believe it. This isn't you. You've changed."

"Does anyone ever change?" Harley questioned in a mocking tone, and suddenly I remembered what Harley had told me only a couple hours ago about trumps cards. How they were the crack in our armor, it was painfully clear that Joker was Harley's trump card. That no matter how strong she was he was always going to find a way into her mind, his hold on her being so strong. I could only hope that she would be able to fight that hold.

"Harley we're running out of time." Ivy suddenly began to plead as she looked behind her shoulder at The Joker with clear disgust and loathing. "Joker doesn't love you, Harley! He's just using you."

A dark look came over Harley's eyes as she stepped closer to Ivy her mallet still gripped tightly in her hand. "What about you Ivy? Aren't you just using me too?"

"I'm your friend Harley."

"Are you? What do you get out of our friendship?Tell me Ivy what do you get? Someone to rely on you? Someone who depends on you? Do you like that?" "Or is it something deeper? Is there another reason you've been so dedicated to our friendship for so long? Is it because you love me?"

The room went deadly silent for a moment before The Joker's laugh filled the void again, as he clapped his hands together with excitement. Ivy seemed frozen in place before her shock was replaced with a deadly scowl as vines suddenly began to wrap around Harley though they clearly were not intended to harm.

"Enough of this." Selina declared and although her voice was laced with annoyance I knew she was interrupting for Ivy's sake and not because we were running out of time. Sure Batman was busy with all the inmates of the asylum but Ivy truly seemed hurt, and for the first time I felt uncertain whether Ivy would be capable of hurting Ivy. Especially when she seemed this blinded by rage. "Harley we've been through this before. You know that when it comes down to it The Joker will always choose Batman over you."

"The Bat?" The Joker suddenly questioned his consistent laughter coming to a sudden halt at the mention of Gotham's Dark Knight. A frightening smile spread across his face as his eyes widened with anticipation. "Is he here yet? You four have become an emotional bore, though the look on your faces is a joy. Why so serious?"

"I'm here." A familiar voice declared effective causing the room to go silent as he entered from the darkened hallway, Robin following closely behind.

"Batman!" The Joker exclaimed a wide smile taking over his features as he looked at Batman with an expression in his eyes that was difficult to place, but the obsession was clear. "You missed the best part of the show."

"We're leaving now Batman." Ivy stated firmly as the greenery around the room began to shift as a warning, though that was a warning that utterly pointless when confronting Batman. This was a man that would fight until his dying breath to make sure that Gotham was safe. Us being the cause for all this chaos was not something he would take lightly. "You should let us pass."

"You broke into Arkham Asylum." Batman stated as he remained as still as a statue and there was no doubt in my mind that his patience was running thin. I could only imagine how many inmates he had to deal with before reaching us, and although Batman's anger was unnerving I couldn't look anywhere else than him. In that regard I was a coward as I couldn't even spare a glance at Dick even though I felt his burning stare. My best strategy was to act indifferent.

"A lot easier than you would think." Harley commented as she raised her head for a moment before falling limp in the vines grip again. It would have almost been amusing if we currently weren't facing the Batman, which would undoubtedly end with us losing if her didn't think of something fast. "Ives you can put me down now, I'm feelin' much better."

The moment Harley's feet touched the concrete floor she ran towards Batman her mallet raised high, and that action set off a chain reaction of more chaos as the four of us began to fight against Batman and Robin. I had trained with Bruce for a short amount of time but it was long enough to know that I could train with him the rest of my life and never be able to match his skill level. It was no surprise when I was thrown down beside Harley a couple seconds after attempting to go against The Batman.

"Ouch." Harley commented with a pout as she rubbed the side of her head, and I had to agree everything hurt. Now that I was in this position I understood why Gotham's criminals were terrified of Batman. Before Bruce had always unsettled me, but the knowledge that I was not his enemy allowed me to not fear him. That was different now.

Harley looked up the ceiling for a moment almost seeming like she was ready to give up and as I stood to help Harley to her feet. At that moment Dick stepped forward and I immediately raised my hand in warning truly not wanting him anywhere near me. "I think I liked you better when you didn't know how to use your powers."

My hand tightened around the handle my whip in irritation as blue electricity ran through it. My anger came from the fact that we were all placed in this situation to begin with and because of his words. "You liked me weak. That's not news to me."

"Time out! Time out!" Harley declared loudly and surprisingly everyone stopped to face her, though there was a sense of worry in the air as we all waited for her next move. She was a wild card and considered that she might still be on The Joker's side even Ivy and Selina seemed unsettled. "Ya gotta be surprised by all the toys Arkham's stocked up."

The instant that Harley revealed Scarecrow's mask Batman and Robin were already prepared as she tossed the mask in their direction, a wall of green vines separating the four of us from the dynamic duo and the gas that Harley just released. The effects of Scarecrow's fear toxin was common knowledge in Gotham, but I also knew that Bruce Wayne was prepared for everything and is he wasn't able to avoid the toxin he would have an antidote to combat its effects. But this was the distraction we needed and not a word needed to be said between the four of us as we immediately began to make our escape. This night was one distastes after another and the last thing we needed was to find ourselves in a cell deep underground Arkham Asylum.

***

The four of us remained silent our entire trip back, even Harley was uncharacteristically calm though her occasional glance at Ivy spoke a thousand words. She was well aware of the cruel words he threw at her best friend, this was going to be something that would not be fairly mended between the two.

The tension between the four of us was unmistakable, and we didn't say a word as we all headed to our rooms. Once I closed my bedroom door I released a sigh of relief because I had to admit that there was a moment that I didn't believe we would be getting out of Arkham, but it seemed that there were going to be larger problems that would need to be addressed later on.

"We need to talk." Selina declared as she closed the door behind her there was an undeniable tension in her voice, but my thoughts didn't linger much on the fact as I got over the surprise of her slipping in so quietly in the first place. She had been acting odd the last couple of weeks at first I believed it was due to Bruce Wayne's new journalist girlfriend, Vicki Val, but Selina wasn't one to get torn down because she lost her hold on a man. This was something else.

"What about?" I questioned as I removed my gloved setting them on the vanity, tonight had been an incredibly long night and there nothing that I wanted more than to fall into a deep sleep.

"My father."

I froze as I finally turned around to face her, her expression revealed nothing but it was clear that this was important to her. Though it didn't make any sense to me considering she had told me before that she was an orphan. "I don't understand."

"I recently discovered that Carmine Falcone had a daughter that he gave away exactly thirty-two years ago." Selina stated before going silent, though she didn't need to continue. She believed that she could possibly be that baby, a child that Falcone gave away like they were nothing. If what Selina believed was true then this was the man who abandoned her, left her in the streets to fend for herself.

I didn't know what to say as it seemed like a stretch to me. There are dozens of orphaned girls on the streets of Gotham, for Selina to believe that the baby girl Falcone gave away was herself seemed more like wishful thinking. But I wasn't going to crush that small amount of hope that she seemed to be holding onto. "You want to know for sure."

"I know what you're thinking," She continued her voice never faltering even though this was such a heavy subject for her to discuss. "that I'm grasping at straws. But yes... I need to know for sure."

Asking for help was not something that Selina Kyle did, in fact she wasn't asking now. She didn't have to because her telling me was enough for me to know what she meant. I knew she wasn't going to ask, but was hoping that I would offer my help. It was an answer that she didn't need, Selina had helped me when I needed her the most and I wasn't going to abandon her when she was so confused and in need of answers. "Just tell me what you need me to do."

***

^^^A/N Took a little break and now I'm back! Writers block is the worst and although this chapter took forever and really isn't as great as I hoped hope you enjoy! More updates coming soon and we're going to be going up with the rest of the Titans very soon!^^^