Gotham High

Originally there was an idea to make a Batman TV series, except in High School. It was to be called Gotham High and it would've featured Batman heroes and villains in high school. This TV show was cancelled before it was even distributed. Admittedly, the idea of Batman and all of the heroes and villains in high school is utterly ridiculous, but it is fun to write about. This is my own universe of Gotham High and while it has ideas pulled from all over theDC universe, I created this and it is not really a fanfiction.

In this story I introduce a girl named Citrus O'Brien to Gotham High. She's recently moved to Gotham and is trapped in a spiral of teenage sociopathic drama. She's been bullied in the past, her mom died, and her dad is a cop working for Commissioner Gordon. She aspires to become a private detective and analyzes many characters in this universe. Later on, there's rumors of a masked vigilante in the school, breaking gang fights and trying to protect people. Should Citrus investigate? And what's with all the crushes on this guy? Not even Citrus understands.

Warnings or Notes

1. Watch details or events carefully. They will affect future stories.

2. I am not an extreme fan of the Batman universe and I may not always get my facts correct. I use ideas from comics, media, or other references from the DC universe as jokes or in plot points. This does not mean I own any of those ideas or references. These ideas and references may also be slightly altered to fit my story.

3. This could be considered a song fiction since I will have links to songs that I feel fit the chapters or characters. I do not own these songs or lyrics.

4. If Citrus seems to be like a Mary Sue, I apologize. I have tried to make her somewhat realistic and flawed so that she is not.

5. I will listen to ideas about arcs through reviews or messaging.

6. This is my own universe of Batman and other DC character and not from any specific continuity. However, I do not own Gotham High, or any of the DC characters. Do not sue please.

Please, this is my first fan fiction and I hope that it will be fun and successful. I enjoy some criticism, but not enough to make me cry. Please enjoy at your leisure.

Game of Frozen Hearts

Citrus, Ivy, Selina, Babs, and Renée agreed to meet up at a public place. While they were friends, a lot of the group didn't feel like showing off their homes. Ivy and Selina didn't talk about their homes, Renée's family were in a temporary home, Babs felt that her dad would try to listen in which wasn't really a good idea in this case, and Citrus knew her dad would be suspicious of something going on.

Selina suggested that they go to, much to Ivy's displeasure, the Iceberg Skating Rink. Why had she suggested that? Anyways, as Citrus strolled on in, she passed a glass case full of trophies and a set of skates with golden blades. No joke, the blades were made of real gold. Citrus could tell because her father had her handles all kinds of metal for when she was going to be a cop. Little details like that could make a huge difference in an investigation.

Around the rink were a few potted plants for decoration and other trinkets. A painting, a few knick knacks, etcetera. Citrus saw that the girls chose to meet up on the ice. Ivy looked as troubled as Citrus did. Neither of them seemed to like the ice, although Ivy in the very least seemed to know how to skate. Hold on, Harley was with them. No, they were chasing after her. Ok, now Citrus really had to get out there. Citrus grabbed a pair of skates, and some scarves to wrap around her face 'cause it was cold out on the ice. Out of worry, she tied up the laces extra tight. Then she tried to skate on the ice, and fell on her butt. Ouch, need another approach. Citrus saw a kid getting off the ice with a metal stool kind of object. It had handles and allowed the child to stand straight while skating. Citrus knew this was going to be embarrassing like crazy, but she managed to flop over and ask for the tool. The child gladly gave it to her and even helped Citrus up onto her feet.

This. Was. Annoying. And. Embarrassing. Citrus had to lean over the short piece of metal, gripping onto the knee high thing for her life. The good news was, she was able to catch up to the others.

"Uh Limes, you do know that's for little kids right? You know, toddlers?" Selina pointed out.

Citrus flushed, "I'll explain later, anyway why's Harley trying to avoid us?"

"Harley has some sort of 'job' to do, but she won't tell us what," Babs nearly yelled.

The girls tried to catch up with Harley but she rounded the corner faster than the rest of them.

"Oy hermanas, let's cut her off!" Renée said.

The rest of them nodded and as they began to cut across the ice in Harley's direction, something whirred. Like a machine kind of whirring.

"Uh, does anybody else hear that?" Babs said nervously.

Ivy looked frantically at the ground in surprise, "Everyone, GET OFF THE ICE!"

Everyone managed to get farther than Citrus before the ground beneath Citrus vanished. Her little tool flew over the rink's walls and hit the doors with a crash. Citrus saw Harley heading towards the building's entrance as she attempted to gather her sense and figure out what happened. Harley was carrying a bag that looked kind of heavy. Did Harley...

Citrus heard a loud boom behind her and turned the best she could on the icy floor. Somebody or something with blue skin, red goggles, and some sort of alien suit stood about fifteen feet away from her. The face looked familiar... was that Fries? Oh crap, he had a gun. It looked just as alien as his suit, but it was a gun nonetheless.

Citrus tried to scramble to her feet, but the ice she couldn't really move even when she was standing up. What was she going to do on the ground?! She'd always been helped off of the ice before, and from the looks of things, the others were sent to the outer rims. How was she even in the center of the ice while everyone else was way over there? That makes no logical sense!

Citrus heard a clicking behind her and realized that this may not be the best time to complain. She squeezed the Bat-phone in her pocket, pressing the button that would let Batman know she was in danger, or that she was in a place that had others in trouble. Fries was preparing to shoot his gun as her. The thing began to glow light blue. Citrus tried to scoot backwards away from Fries with little to no luck. Then she tried to pry her shoes off. Shoot, she made the laces too tight. Tight enough the even if she tried to loosen the laces, it's take minutes to remove them. Minutes were not something she had.

Was she really going to be killed? What about all of the people behind her? What would he do after he finished her? Hell no, Citrus O'Brien doesn't do helpless. Citrus chose to glare at the person who was threatening her life. Citrus shoved aside most of her fear, and struggled to her feet. Fries looked shocked. What if?

"Aren't going to shoot me? After all, I'm between you and them," please give them more time to run. "What are you waiting for? Don't you have more important things to take care of?"

Fries looked determined and that's when Citrus realized her mistake. That look on his face reminded her of herself and Wayne as well as her friends. He was willing to do anything for something they treasure, even kill. It had to be something...or somebody he cared deeply for. Nora. She'd been missing for a while. Was he protecting Nora? Focus on surviving this first moron!

He pointed his gun at her and Citrus braced herself for impact. Something slammed into her, but it wasn't a bullet. Citrus found herself slung over someone's shoulder. Whoever it was, he wore a blue overcoat and a blue hat. Who? He turned his head and Citrus almost screamed. The guy had no face! He also made no noise. Was this the slender man ? No that's just a myth... Please be a myth.

Wait, this was the Question? that vigilante from...Hub City. Like that detective at her school. Moron, moron, moron! Citrus face palmed. It seemed so obvious now. This was that weird detective going around the school. While there was no real way to see if they had the same face, all heroes she met lately or heard of at least, seemed to make a fashion statement of showing off their chins. Why on earth they did that, Citrus had no clue. Yep, this guy had the same chin. Not the same hair though, this one had black hair. Maybe he dyed it? Or maybe she was just plain wrong.

He had to be pretty strong to carry her and skate on the ice at the same time. His feet , made crunching sounds a The air around them seemed colder and Citrus glanced to see that the gun that Fries had wasn't an ordinary gun. It was shooting a liquid that had an effect like that of nitrogen, it was freezing everything. It didn't seem exactly like liquid nitrogen though, it looked different. It was a thicker compound and it glowed like the gun did. The fluid was spraying close to them. Crap, it was going to...

Citrus went flying through the air as the fluid caught onto the Question's feet. She slammed onto the ice and into a rink wall. The Question, he was stuck out there, his feet frozen to the ice. He couldn't get out and asides from that, his leg was twisted at a really bad angle. Fries was aiming his gun at Question. Citrus was trying to clamber to her feet when a dark shadow appeared from the ceiling. The Dark Knight had finally arrived. Why was he so late?!

While Batman and Freeze got into a fist fight, Citrus scrambled to her feet and almost ran to the Question. Almost, she fell onto her face hard. She was kind of grateful for all those scarves she put on her face since they acted as a padding, but it still hurt and made a loud thump in the room. A lot of people either grimaced or said "Oooh!" in the room, including Fries and Batman. Then they returned to fighting.

Spectators started running away except for Citrus's friends. They actually came out onto the ice like soldiers into battle. They barely showed any fear, and mostly anger. Ivy, Babs, and Selina went straight for Fries while Renée helped Citrus try to free the Question. Selina flicked her hands and claws appeared on her hand. Babs moved like an acrobat, flipping on the ice, moving in a similar fashion to Batman, although she had to admit that he was more graceful. Ivy tried to hurt his legs by kicking them and by bending his arm, but he kicked her across the ice.

"Ivy!" all the girls cried out.

Ivy was unconscious and her head had a huge bruise forming. Her hand was outstretched towards Fries. Did she have a concussion?! They had to hurry, Ivy and Question really needed medical attention. The room started to rumble and Citrus looked to find that the rumbling was from the plants. They were all shaking like someone would shake their fists in anger. Then, the oddest, and coolest thing happened. The plants grew larger, right in front of them, and spikes of some of them were forming. Quick as a cobra, they all at once struck at Fries. His helmet began to crack and his armor began to hiss.

Everything seemed to go slow mo from there. Citrus pulled off Renée's left ice skate and began to hack into the ice that held Question captive. Renée grabbed her other skate and followed suit. They got the ice loose enough to free him. Then they got up and took Question's weight onto both of their shoulders. Renée seemed to have an easier time. In fact, they moved in a similar way. It was like she was a miniature him, but prettier. Well, why wouldn't she? They both liked to figure out mysteries and conspiracies. Next thing Citrus knew, they were off the ice and gasping for air. The icy air stung Citrus's lugs, but she didn't mind. Citrus looked back onto the ice and saw that Fries blasted them back. His suit was ruptured in ome areas and his helmet had a large crack in it. Some sort of gas was coming out and he was breahing heavily like she was a moment ago. He aimed his gun at Babs Ivy. Probably because she put the most damage into his suit, other than the plants.

Citrus raced out onto the ice and stupidly remembered that she didn't know how to skate, which meant she didn't know how to stop either. At least she could steer a little. Citrus made it so that she rammed into Fries. They both grunted and when Citrus looked up from the ground, she saw Fries was running away. She breathed heavily and felt dizzy. Ugh, how many times had she been hit today? She needed to get her head into the game and get off of the ice. She tried to stand up, but she fell to her knees again. Her feet and legs hurt a lot. Most likely not as much as the Question's though. How did her know how to be here though? Conspiracies, duh. So was all of this really connected?

Citrus tried to get up again, but this time she had help. Babs and Selina grabbed both of her arms and lifted. She looked at them in surprise.

"Thanks guys, but you could've gotten yourselves killed. Why did you..."

"Jeeze you made that whole big speech about helping us, and it didn't occur to you that we might feel the same? How much of a moron are you?" Babs said seriously.

"Besides, I owed you already, and I like to repay any debts I have," Selina commented.

First one was kind of sweet and as for the second one, oh well. Batman was no longer in the room, but that was to be expected. No "heroes", even those who were still learning, liked paparazzi or the news very much. Not unless they were huge showoffs. Citrus looked around for Ivy, Renée and Question. The latter two weren't too far away, but...

"Where's Ivy?"

"She bolted after Fries ran off. We have no idea where she went," Selina said.

"Selina, please tell me what's going on after we answer to Babs dad. Actually, what do we tell him?"

Selina shrugged, "Easy, your exam is about you ice skating right?"

"Yeah."

Babs continued the answer, "So we tell him that we were helping you learn how to ice skate. I get away with stories like that all the time"

Oh great, did this really have to be the most embarrassing moment of her life? No, there was that time in pre-kindergarten where she didn't wear a belt and her pants fell down. This was still going to be a really, really sad excuse for a story.

...

Well, Gordon bought it. Her dad freaked out big time, covering Citrus with various bandages and annoying the paramedics.

"Commissioner, something's been stolen."

"What?"

"The golden ice skates and some of the trophies, they were most likely taken during the commotion. All the cameras were busted though. Literally busted, like somebody beat them with a hammer. The cameras don't show what hit them before it hit them. It looks like a clean job, not even fingerprints or hairs."

Citrus recalled Harley running out the front with a heavy bag. Did Harley steal those items? Did Joker put her up to it? NO, no offense to Harley, but she was good with psychology, not forensic science. Also, while she was smart, Citrus doubted Harley was that smart.

"What about the tapes before that? Can you get a facial IDs? See if who left during the commotion?"

"Commissioner Gordon, people started running at the first sign of trouble. Of course they're going to leave. Nobody wants to die, and that's what Fries was threatening," Crap did she just give away Fries's identity? Oh man, if he really was trying to protect Nora, then she didn't want him turned into the cops!

"Freeze?"

Citrus thought of something quickly, " Yeah, Freeze. You didn't see ho he froze everything? Why not call him Freeze?"

The policemen then ignored her. Whew, that was close.

"Kid, what are these on your arm?" a paramedic asked Renée. Holy cow, she had cuts all over her arm.

"Uh, I think I got them when I slammed into one of those plants, they were kind of vicious."

That seemed to make the paramedic satisfied, but Citrus thought Renée might be lying. There was somebody about her stance and tone. It sounded sad. This kind of thing was something only those of the same gender and age might get. Sure there were others who could figure that sort of thing out, but it was rare.

"Renée, ¡ mi conejita! ¿Es usted fina?" a Hispanic woman came running over.

" Sí mamá, estoy bien," Renée said as her mother wrapped her arms around her.

A little boy and a man came over and did the same. Her brother and father? Citrus was able to figure out a few words, but she really needed to touch up on her Spanish. Conejita meant a female rabbit, right? Yeah it did, and the sad part was that she learned that from watching shows like Dora and Go Diego Go!

Focus Citrus, was Fries just a distraction while Harley got the goods? Fries might be trying to protect Nora, but what would Harley have to gain? Did it have something to do with Joker? Hold on, where was the Question? Did he disappear like Batman? Maybe it was a superhero thing like the chin aspect. Hopefully he was okay. They also had to find Ivy, get her help, and then figure out what the heck was going on.

Citrus leaned over to Selina, "Everyone's paying attention to the chaos. We might not get another time like this again."

Selina nodded and Babs leaned in too so she could listen, " Harley and a whole bunch of other students are being blackmailed. I don't know by who yet, but they've gotten to Harley as you guys have probably figured out."

Blackmail?

Babs nodded, " So these people are being blackmailed into committing crimes? Shouldn't we tell others?"

Citrus hated this idea, but, "I don't think so. The guy who attacked us on the ice was Victor. There's only one reason he'd be that desperate, and it has nothing to do with himself."

The girls let the information soak in before responding together, "Nora."

Citrus nodded and they all shut up as the others returned.

"Miss Kyle, am I to understand you live in a brothel?" a cop asked.

Citrus knew enough fancy language to understand what a brothel was. Heck, you didn't even need to know much language to figure out what a brothel was. Selina lived in that kind of place?

"Is there a problem with that?" Selina growled, like a tiger.

"A brothel is no place to raise a child..Do the people there make you do the same things they do? Just to earn your keep? It is a place of sins and all of those people will go to Hell. You will too if you participate with them. "

Selina grabbed the guy by the throat. Oh boy, Selina's nails were close to puncturing his skin.

"Selina, put him down," Citrus murmured.

"He doesn't understand, people like him assume that the people who take care of me enjoy what they have to go through. They only do it to survive. I was like an abandoned kitten on the streets, yearning for food and comfort when they took me in. Sure things get hard, but they're good people. They never once ask for me to help them. To do the things they do because they don't want me to suffer!"

Selina's eyes were like those of a cat's, narrowed and ominous.

Citrus put her arm on Selina's, "And do you think they'll like it if you're put in jail for harassing a cop? Think about what will happen to them and yourself."

Selina hesitated and threw the cop on the ground. As he sat up, she hissed at him.

Citrus glared at him with every bit of hatred she felt for jerks like him and other monsters like him. "You tell or do this sort of thing ever again, and you'll how much of my mother I inherited. Do I make myself clear?"

The guy shook like a scared puppy before standing up with a wobble in his knees, nodding, and walking away. Citrus erased the look from her face quickly as others followed to where the cop had come from.

She put on a concerned smile and nodded at Selina, "Nobody does that sort of thing to my friends."

Selina smiled, "You're really weird kid."

"That's for sure, " Babs continued, "Anybody got any clue where Ivy is? Or that faceless guy?"

"I don't know where that weird guy is, but Ivy's in Central Park," Selina answered.

"The park?" Citrus and Babs said.

"Yeah, for some reason Ivy's parents left her alone and Ivy felt comfortable being around plants. What better place than the park?"

Citrus hesitated, "Do you guys think Ivy's behind the whole plant thing? You know, how the plants attacked Fries?"

Their eyes widened. Babs was the first to speak, "How is that even possible?"

Citrus shook her head, "No clue, but our friend needs our help. She was pretty beat up and after that fiasco, I doubt she'll go to any doctor. Will you guys help me find her and Harley?"

The girls nodded and as Citrus got up to walk away, Selina whispered, "Please don't turn out like Holly did."

Citrus still didn't know who Holly was, but she assumed that it was somebody very precious to Selina. What happened to Holly? And why did Selina say that only ever around Citrus?

...

Citrus snuck out that night and met up with the girls at the front of the park All of them had an assortment of medical kits or food. The park was extra creepy at night. There were constant movements in shadows. Sometimes it was wildlife, and other times it was a person.

Ivy appeared from behind one the trees, "What are you guys doing here?"

Odd, she didn't have a scratch on her. "Aren't you hurt anywhere? Do you need food? Anything at all?"

Ivy looked surprised, "No, I'm fine. I heal pretty quickly."

"Hey Ivy, do you anything about the whole plants attacking Fries?" Babs asked.

Ack, it was way too soon to ask about that kind of stuff. Why did Babs ask about that?

Ivy narrowed her eyes, "Yeah, I did it. I've had the ability to control plants since I was at least five years old. That's when I first heard their voices. I can talk to them and vice versa. My parents called me crazy at first. They weren't, the god kinds of parents. They were the type that Harley would call authoritarian. I call them bullies, jerks and abusive. They beat me whenever I didn't do anything right. As soon as they found out what I was capable of, they left. I was once a little girl called Pamela Isley. Now, I am something everyone hates. I leave my red mark on everyone who makes me angry. I am Poison Ivy. You got a problem with that?"

Citrus felt something in and all over her, dread. Christ, this Ivy was dark, but it was Ivy nonetheless. And Ivy was her friend. "So you don't need treatment or anything, you sure?"

Everyone looked at her in shock. Ivy stuttered, "Aren't you creeped out or anything? Don't you want to run away and tattle that I'm crazy or a freak?"

"You're no freak Ivy. And I'll be honest, yeah you creeped me out a little there but I won't abandon you. I don't care what happened in the past or what others say about you, what you say or what actions say tell me the kind of person you are. After all of this, you think I'll judge you for what others have judged you for?"

Ivy stared for a second, and then began to laugh, "Limes you're way too naive, but I guess that naive belief of yours is what makes you special."

Citrus felt confused, how was she naive? And since when was being naive a good thing? That kind of thing got you killed in real life. "Hey Ivy, if you really think you're a freak, then look at me. On the first day of school I barged into the boys' locker room to save a baby bat even though the mere idea of naked guys makes me blush. I want to be a cop, and yet I seem to be helping people who bring weapons to school and I want to help the guy who just attacked me. I sneak out and break rules even though I'm a cop's daughter and I want to be a cop. I also love Oreos with an adoration worse than the Cookie Monster. How am I not a freak?"

Ivy looked surprised and Selina continued the chain of comments, " I'm a girl who was raised in a brothel, and I believe that there may be a place for me and the girls I live with in heaven. I'm also a cat fanatic as much as you are a plant one. And if you think that you hear the voices of plants, then get this in your head. I hear cats talk to me."

Babs smiled, "Well, my dad's the Commissioner and I break the rules all the time. Also here's a secret of mine, I'm actually a Freshmen while you guys are all Seniors. Isn't it a little weird for me to hang around you guys?"

Some of the girls nodded or shrugged. Citrus smiled, "We're all a little strange in our own way, see Ivy?"

Renée shook her head then, and hid her face. " You guys will accept each other no matter how different or weird you all are? You won't be angry at each other or anything?"

"No, do you have anything weird about yourself?" Babs asked.

"Swear you guys won't hate me?"

"Jeeze, what's the big deal? Two of us admitted to hearing voices. I doubt it can be worse than that," Selina said, folding her arms.

"Ok, I'm attracted to girls. I'm a homosexual," Renée caved in.

Everything seemed quiet for a moment. It seemed to take that much to process the information.

Citrus shrugged it off, " Ok you're gay, so what? Did you really think we'd shun you for your sexual preference?"

"You...really don't hate me?"

"Mio dios, did you think we'd be that hard on you?"

Renée giggled a little, " It's 'Dios mío' actually. You really don't know how to speak Spanish, do you?

Citrus face palmed as everyone started to laugh.

"Hey, I dress as a clown and I just stole over a hundred thousand dollars in items from an ice skating rink while you gals were getting pummeled. Don't ya think I'm a freak? Or at least a monster?" a familiar Jersey accent confessed.

They all turned to face Harley Quinn, who had tears streaming down her face. All at once, the girls ran over to Harley and hugged her. Even Renée who hadn't really met Harley yet.

"Harley, we were so worried. And you're not a monster, you're our friend, and we'll try to help you."

After introducing Renée to Harley and vice versa the girls sat down to eat their accidental picnic. All that food that brought had to be consumed after all.

"Harley, did somebody blackmail you?" Citrus asked while stuffing down a pack of Oreos.

Harley hesitated, " Yeah, Sportsmaster has been blackmailing others too."

"Sportsmaster? Are you sure it was his idea?" Citrus asked.

"Well, he's the one who's at least contacting kids about it. He's also got Bane, Croc, Fries, and even Penguin."

"Penguin?" Citrus asked.

"You know, that kid that you hang out with at lunch. Um, Oswald Cobblepot?"

Citrus remembered how he was earlier. He had been distracted and fidgety. Oswald was in trouble, as was everyone else. She nodded. "Anybody else?"

Harley list went on and Citrus stood up. "We've got to do something. We have to stop him."

" Kumquat, how do you even plan on stopping him? He's got more power than us. He's stronger than us," Ivy asked.

"I have an idea, but you guys need to trust me, okay? Harley, do you know what's happened to Nora Smithy?"

"No, I don't"

Citrus sighed, "Whatever's happened to her, we'll get her back as well. Harley, where are the stolen items right now?"

"With Sportsmaster, he keeps all of the stolen goods in his office at school."

Citrus smiled, "Perfect. All of you show up at school tomorrow, I've got an idea and I need to figure out the details. I'll need all of your help."

As she ran off, the girls looked at each other.

"Do you really think she has an idea?" Renée asked.

"She'd better," Selina said. "Or else we're in a whole lot of trouble."

Under her breath Selina murmured, " Please don't go like Holly."

...

Citrus stood on a dock in Gotham Bay and pressed a button to reveal the Min-Bat Sub that Batsy sent over when she was supposed to visit. She wasn't supposed to be visiting Batman really, just Fuscus, her pet Man-bat of sorts. Yeah, Fuscus was the baby bat she rescued on her first day of school, which was then made into a Man-bat by her previous Forensic Science teacher, Professor Langstrom. Apparently Fuscus imprinted on Citrus, making her his mother. Seriously, imprinting is not really what Creepy, and yet adorable. When she was in danger through Langstrom, the baby bat even tried to protect her even when it could've cost his own life.

Citrus still felt nervous in Batman's gadgets and she really wished he wouldn't used such expensive items. Sure they were cool and all, but all somebody had to do was think of how much all of his equipment cost, and then they'd trace it back to him. That was similar to how Citrus figured out who he was, Bruce Wayne. Boy billionaire, teen heartthrob, and used-to-be idiot ninja. Now he was idiot Batman, at least in her eyes.

It wasn't really an insult, more like a cute nickname. Everyone nicknamed her after various citrus fruits after all. That's what she got for being named Citrus. Why Citrus? Her mother craved it like crazy during her pregnancy. Well, that and the fact that Citrus had blond hair when her parents didn't. Both of her parents had the recessive genes for blonds so anybody with a brain could understand how she had it when neither of her parents did. Being blond could be a hassle sometimes, especially when you had to deal with those who believed in the stereotypes that blonds were dumb.

Citrus looked out of the windows of the submarine. The water out there was always murky. Unclear, like the city sometimes. No one was sure why certain things happened here, it always ended it either a strange way, or messily. The last adventure she had involved her becoming a owner to a giant bat and slowly befriending the Batman. The one previous to that ended with a bullied student going insane and being sent to Arkham.

Was Jonathan Crane really a bad guy? Could she really blame him for becoming the monster that others made him? What about Riddler and Meister? They've been bullied and if she hadn't stopped Riddler, he would have fallen into the same trap laid out for Crane. Were they really so different? What about Citrus herself? She had seen Selina ready to kill a cop. She may have convinced Selina to let him go, but she had let Selina get away with it. Was that really who she was? Citrus had been preparing most of her life to become somebody like him. No not like him, an actual protector. She'd been bullied too. Heck, she'd almost been raped. What was to stop her from becoming a monster? Who would be there for her if she was ready to dance off the cliff? When she couldn't stop herself from becoming the monster she feared most? What if she gained a cold heart like the people she swore to put away?

The screen of the sub lifted and Citrus stepped out. As soon as she did, a pair of familiar wings embraced her and she heard a squeal of glee. Citrus returned the hug as Fuscus purred. Creepy, and yet so adorable. Citrus was a sucker for anything cute and furry. Nuzzle nuzzle. Fuscus unwrapped himself and flew into the air, spinning round and round.

"He's gotten a lot better at flying since the last time I visited," Citrus commented.

"Yes, he has," gargling marbles responded.

"When are you going to get that voice-changer that I recommended," Citrus folded her arms like a scolding mother as Batman appeared from the shadows.

"Eventually, and I'm trying to dim down on expenses as well since you made a valid point."

Citrus glared.

Batman smirked like the smart mouth he was. He lifted up a tray that held the most valuable treasure in the known universe, Oreos. "An apology present?"

Citrus smacked herself in the forehead before grabbing one. "Jerk."

"Hhmm, now tell me about the events leading up to the incident at the Ice Skating Rink."

Citrus stopped mid-bite, wondering if she should tell him. After all, this wasn't just her business, it was others' as well. However, she needed some help from him, so maybe she could give him some info? She told him about what happened with Harley and what was she found out about Fries. Details like Poison Ivy having plant controlling power, Selina living in a brothel, Babs disobeying her father and Renée being a homosexual...Oh, and who Harley was.

Batman was about to protest about the lack of information, but Citrus kicked him in the shin. "Keep in mind that certain parts of this story are my friends' business. If you've got a problem with that, then I just might drop the hint about how much you spend and all somebody has to do is track down all of the expensive stuff."

"You know, I can't tell if you're extremely naive, brave, or just plain stupid. After all, you're threatening somebody who has a lot of money, which means power, and I go out every night beating bad guys up to a pulp. Is that really a good idea?"

Citrus scoffed, "Only if you really know how to do it, otherwise attempting it makes you practically asking for death."

Fuscus jumped onto Batman's head, trying to cuddle with him. Batman tried to pry him off much to the squealing bat's annoyance while Citrus laughed her butt off.

"He's only trying to cuddle with you!" she giggled.

"I'm, the Batman, I don't cuddle," he struggled.

"Just wait till the ladies hear that, they'll be real disappointed," she cackled.

Batman finally and firmly removed Fuscus. Then the Bat looked over at her, "What do you mean by that?"

"Come on, don't tell me you haven't noticed your fangirls? The dark and mysterious is extremely attractive to a lot of females," Citrus said as she leaned back. Crap, she'd actually forgotten that Batman was Bruce Wayne, who had drawn a picture of her in his notebook. Oh, and he did it with such detail which meant he stared at her a lot and he may have a crush on her. Poop.

"Girls are attracted to that kind of stuff? I thought they liked the Prince Charming type," Batman said, leaning forward.

Well, he probably would think that since girls were all over him as Bruce Wayne, the ultimate Prince Charming. Citrus sat bat as he got closer. Okay, better slam him down now since they're talking about it. "There's a reason there are types because different people have different tastes. Me for instance, I don't want any romance at all."

THAT stopped him and got him to sit back. "No romance at all? You sure?"

She shook her head, "Look I love reading romance novels and even watching movies, but I don't think I ever want to get in that kind of relationship. Too much of a hassle and right now I'm a teenager. This is the craziest point of my life, and I don't want to end up like so many teenagers who end up with broken hearts or being parents. I'm just not ready for that kind of thing. Maybe I will be one day, but that's not now. Am I clear?"

Batman looked disappointed, but not too upset, thank goodness, "Crystal". He cleared his throat, "So what's this ingenious plan of yours?"

"Honestly, I don't have one."

Crap, Citrus made the Batman face palm.

"Ok don't get cranky Batsy, I know that we have to find Nora first. Then we have to prove that Sportsmaster is the one behind all of this."

"Citrus, we need to see if Harley was telling the truth or not. Without something to show me or anyone else, we have nothing. You want to be a cop, remember? So we need to find the truth."

Citrus took a deep breath. She understand what Batman was saying, but it still irritated her that somebody would call any of her friends a liar. "Can we at least agree to find Nora Smithy first?"

"Yes, so get your butt in the Bat-mobile."

"Bat-mobile?"

He glared, poorly, "Yes...Bat-mobile. You have a habit of naming all of my tools after bats."

"Hey, I'm letting you copy the glare. Now give me your best one!"

Batman tried glaring until Citrus broke down laughing and he joined in.

"Hey Bats, it's okay to laugh and smile but if you want to inspire fear among Gotham's most devious, get the glare straight and don't show anybody your soft side. People may try to take advantage of you," she said before walking towards the Bat-mobile.

"Citrus O'Brien, you have a cold heart," Batman murmured so quietly that Citrus barely heard it.

She felt guilty. She really should have found a way to let him down easier. However, maybe it was better that he didn't know what she knew about him. She pretended not to hear what he said, "You coming Batsy?"

"Quit calling me Batsy."

She really did have a cold heart, didn't she? However, Citrus wasn't sure if she would change a thing about herself. Yeah, she had more than dozens of scars that she hated, but if she changed, then she might lose who she was. She wouldn't know who she was and then she may become a monster. Wasn't it better to a cold heart instead of having none at all?

...

Citrus gathered rumors from classmates about Nora and Batman got info from the streets. Citrus had even got Babs to look into Police Missing Persons Reports. What they got? Not much...Nora was last seen with Victor Fries, whom Citrus was pretty sure didn't want to see her. They were heading to a clinic since Nora got sick on a date and no one except Fries knows what happened after that. Fries claimed that Nora disappeared from when they were passing Gotham Cathedral, . Not even Nora's parents or her sister Dora knew where she was.

Citrus called Batman to tell him what she found and apparently he gathered the same information off the streets. In fact, he claimed to already be there.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

He sounded annoyed, "Because no matter what you do, you're still a civilian and aren't you tired of the constant life-in-peil situations?"

"Not when someone else's life is at stake. I'll fight in any way I can to help those in need."

Silence followed, then Batman cursed and there were several blasts in the background.

Citrus started to panic, so she tried to lighten things a little, "Bats, remember what Fries did in the ice rink? It'd be really bad if the one spiritual place in the city was destroyed."

It suddenly got very quiet. "Bats? Please be okay. If you're not, I'm going to kick you."

Static filled the signal and Citrus tore the thing off. This was not good. Not good at all.

"Need some help little girl?"

Citrus spun around and saw that it was the Question leaning against a blue .

"How'd you..."

"Puhlease, you don't think that I wouldn't figure everything out? Including who the Batman really is?"

Citrus glared and the Question actually took a step back, "If you harm him..."

"Kid, it's sounds like he's already been hurt. Threatening me is not a good idea. Also, what could you possibly do to me?"

"Simple, Detective Victor Sage used-to-be journalist taught by Aristotle Rodor who came up with an artificial skin that you use for your mask," Citrus registered his reaction. He didn't say anything, "Get the picture?"

"What gave me away?"

She waved her hand, "Right now is not the time to talk about it. Okay Mr. Conspiracy Theorist, you're driving."

"How are you sure I know where I'm going?" he asked as they both stepped into the car. "And how do you know I won't do anything...inappropriate?"

" You supposedly always know what's going on, you know where to drive. As for the second, you're a crime fighter who's been doing this job for over two decades and you saved my life. Plus if you tried, I'd break a finger of yours."

Question scoffed and she gave him an irritated look, "You heard of Candace O'Brien?"

"Yes, she was your mother."

"She was also my tutor in learning how to pound people. You've heard of her feats and since she taught me almost everything she knew, what does that tell you?"

Question was silent and Citrus growled, "Drive."

He paused, and then started the engine. He drove way faster than the speed limit, making people in cars honk their horns and curse endlessly.

Wayne, please be okay. If not then she'd have to work harder than initially thought to make you the World's Greatest Detective and Crime Fighter. And she won't be so easy this time.

Today's song:

We Are by Ana Johnson

watch?v=ZRkMEYvEc_4