song for this chapter:
seven- taylor swift

"Batman, how do you lose a-"

"I don't know, okay! Just let me-"

"You lost my niece!" Selina yelled, storming into the Cave and Superman had to hold her back. "I'll kill you for that, Batman! How do you lose my niece!?"

"Get her out of here." Bruce ordered. Superman just rolled his eyes and let Selina go, all of us doing absolutely nothing as she pushed him back onto a chair.

"Where the hell is Ace!?"

"That's what we're trying to find out."

"Last time she escaped, we found her in Crime Alley... maybe we should start there?" I offered, adjusting my mask when Flash appeared, holding his ribcage.

"No need... she's in Metropolis."

"What happened to you?" Wonder Woman asked.

"The devil spawn happened. I tried to talk to her, but she just laughed and managed to break a few ribs with a metal pipe. Should heal in a few more minutes, but she's got a mean backswing though."

"It's the lack of venom." Bruce called out and Selina turned to him with wide eyes.

"You made her quit!? I told you it would drive her insane to the point where it kills her! She can't quit it, Batman!" She screamed and we all flinched. "What's the fastest way to Metropolis? I'll go get her and you'll never have to worry about her again because clearly you can't take care of her after you promised me!"

"And what good would that be, Cat? You said it yourself, she goes without the venom and it'll kill her." Bruce interjected and stood up. "She can't leave Gotham."

"I'll find a damn cure, Bat!"

"And she'll die before you even make a breakthrough."

"You don't have any venom made for her." She defended. Bruce just sighed and pointed to a corner where there were cases of Joker venom already made. "How the-"

"I reverse engineered a blood sample the night Robin and I found her and made enough venom to last her until I find a way to cure it."

"We should get going before it's too late." Superman called out and I immediately stood up. "Robin, you're staying."

"What!? No way! You guys are gonna scare her!" I protested.

"Robin." Bruce warned.

"I was the only one who calmed her down in the hospital a few months ago. And whenever she goes Joker, Catwoman and I are the ones who bring her back. I'm going too."

"Batman, you gotta leash both of your kids." Flash grumbled before standing up. "Come on before we change our minds, Boy Wonder."

"Don't think I haven't tried."

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"Ace? Ace, it's Robin and Catwoman!"

"Time to smile!" We heard Ace laugh and Superman immediately grabbed and flew me to the alleyway she was  in and about to kill someone.

"Put down the knife!" I called out and threw a Batarang, knocking the pocket knife from her hand as Flash got the civilian away. "Ace... it's Robin. We've come to help you."

"No help." She spat, glaring at us and I took a step back in fear.

Her eyes were an unnatural shade of green, the stitches that held her smile were gone and she was bleeding from her mouth and arms.

"Ace, it's me. It's aunty Cat." Selina tried, removing her cowl and shielded me. "I'm not gonna hurt you, kitten. It's just you and me here."

"Ace, you can trust us. We just want to help." Superman added, but Ace shook her head, taking a few steps backs as Bruce slowly dropped down behind her.

"No help! No help!" She cried just as Bruce wrapped his arms around her and forced her to her knees. "Mom! Mommy... help!"

"Ace, just-"

"Mommy!" She sobbed, struggling against his grip and we all stood helpless, watching as Bruce injected her with a syringe full of Joker venom.

Ace slowly stopped screaming and slumped in Bruce's arms, tears streaming down her face.

"You're okay, kid... I've got you." Bruce sighed in relief and she whimpered.

"Mommy... I want mom..."

"Oh, great Hera... she's just a child." Wonder Woman frowned as Selina and I immediately rushed over to Ace.

"She still calls for Harley... it's been almost a year." He whispered, picking her up and covered her with his cape.

"Most times a child's first instinct is to call for their mothers, Batman. Especially one as scared as she is."

"But Harley never stopped Joker from-"

"It's called Stockholm syndrome, Robin. Something we'll explain when you're older." Flash interrupted me and turned to look at Ace. "God, how could someone be so cruel and  do this to their own flesh and blood?"

"He loves me... Daddy loves me." Ace whimpered and we all frowned.

"Bat-"

"We've got to get her to the Cave." Was all Bruce said before walking away, making sure to shield Ace from everyone by covering her face with the cape.

"He's gotta understand that she's just a kid." Superman sighed and Selina frowned, putting on her cowl again.

"Joker used electroshock since she was five to make her think it was love. Harley could never defend her because she was forced to go through it as well."

"For once, I feel bad for that woman." Flash admitted.

"She did her best given the circumstances."

"But sometimes, best isn't good enough." Wonder Woman butted, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"She truly did love him... both of them love him despite it all." Selina defended.

"And that's the worst part of it... that they both still love him."

｡ﾟ•┈୨🃏୧┈• ｡ﾟ

"Bruce, why is she in a cage?"

"It's not a cage. It's quarantine."

"It's a cage." Selina rolled her eyes and opened the cell but I immediately stepped inside. "Dick, don't-"

"Shh! She's waking up." I shushed and helped Ace sit. "Where are you?"

"Here..." She mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "I think."

"You think?"

"Mhm."

"You remember what happened, Ace?" Bruce asked and she grimaced. "What is it?"

"Name... don't like."

"You don't like your name, kid?" He asked again and she shook her head. "Any names you had in mind?"

"No."

"How about Elizabeth? You look like an Izzy." I offered and Selina laughed, stepping inside the cell.

"I think that's something for her to find out, Dick." She smiled, helping Ace stand. "You remember what happened, sweetheart?"

"I did something bad?" She asked, tilting her head and Bruce nodded, stepping inside as well. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright, kid. You're safe now and that's what matters." Bruce assured and was taken aback when Ace hugged him.

"Help me?"

"We'll help you, kid... I promise you."