40 – An Alliance between Villains

40 – An Alliance between Villains

[A/N: Just before this chapter begins, I have an announcement to make: for the next three weeks, there will not be any chapters, as I will either be working, or recovering from my surgery on the 3rd of next month, see you all then]

[Earlier that Night]

Deep within an abandoned building covered in overgrowth was a beautiful garden, one that looked straight from fantasy with how vibrant and colorful life was inside the garden, it was a place strong with the power of the Green, and, at the center of this garden, was Poison Ivy, one of many Avatars for the Green.

Standing around her, were various creatures and people that could only be considered to be 'Villains' or 'Criminals.'

There was Swamp Thing, another Avatar of the Green.

Killer Croc, King of the Gotham Sewers.

Catwoman, arguably the best thief in all of Gotham.

Harley Quinn, a Crazy Clown and Ex-Lover of the Insane Clown, the Joker.

Mr. Freeze, a man desperate to save his wife.

"Why did you invite us here, Ivy?" Killer Croc asked with a growl.

"I gathered you all here today to ask for your help," Ivy started only to be interrupted, "I'm not interested, leave me be," Mr. Freeze answered, turning around to leave.

"Even if what I offer can help save your wife?" Ivy asked, a smile on her face as Mr. Freeze stopped in his tracks.

Turning around, the stoic face of Mr. Freeze could be seen through the glass of his exosuit staring at Ivy.

"Speak," He commanded.

"Not too long ago, Catwoman, Harley, and I started visiting a store. Operating this store...is an inhuman entity that offers a wide range of services and goods. Weapons, Medicine, Food, Water, countless things that could very well change Gotham forever, and I need your help."

Not convinced, Mr. Freeze asked, "Why should I believe you?"

Not even replying, a vine suddenly extended from the ground holding a device and stopped just before Mr. Freeze's face.

"What's this?" Mr. Freeze asked, examining the item before grabbing it.

"The entity that runs the store calls it a 'Stimpak,' a Syringe containing some kind of medical solution that rapidly heals a person's body and injuries, even helping set bones back into place," Ivy stated, before freezing when Mr. Freeze pulled off his glove and pulled out a knife which he ruthless slashed over his sickly pale arm.

Not even flinching, he then stabbed the Stimpak into his arm and pumped half of its contents into his wound.

He watched with apt attention as the wound began to slowly but surely heal.

"We know!" Harley replied.

"Not you, I already know you will antagonize it already, it's them I am worried about," Ivy told Harley while gesturing to Killer Croc, Swamp Thing, and Mr. Freeze.

"Oh, why didn't you say so!" Harley asked, causing Catwoman to groan.

Stepping into the cafe, the two rather large villains, Killer Croc and Swamp Thing had to crouch and duck under the door.

Once inside they had to slouch a bit to avoid hitting the ceiling.

Staring at the new arrivals, was Zeref.

"Welcome..." Zeref greeted before whispering to himself, "Note to self...raise the ceiling in future expansion."

"Greetings...I have brought a few...friends along with me," Ivy stated, hesitating when mentioning her acquaintances.

"I...see," Zeref answered before continuing, "I assume they are here for the VR experience?"

"Correct," Ivy answered, to which Zereif replied, "Then I assume you will help them with setting up their accounts and paying for their sessions?"

Sighing, Ivy nodded before approaching the counter with a bag in hand.

Placing the duffle bag on the counter, she opened the zipper to reveal quite the amount of money.

"Will you be placing this money on tab?" Zeref asked, curious, but not asking where the money came from.

She looked briefly surprised before nodding.

"Enjoy your time in Fallout, and before you walk off, do please inform your friends that they shall be quite human when they play any of the games we currently offer, also, there is a new game available to play, Stardew Valley, if you are interested," Zeref informed her.

Looking surprised, she turned to look at Killer Croc and Swamp Thing, imagining them in human forms.

Shaking her head, she walked back to her group, with Mr. Freeze, Swamp Thing, and Killer Croc having to push the computer chairs out of the way as they would not be able to fit in them.

Ivy could swear she heard a sigh come from the store owner behind her, but she simply ignored that and treated it as her imagination.

Luckily, Harley was already helping them set up their accounts, so, without further ado, she grabbed a computer, but not before looking at the only other customer in the room who was here every hour the cafe was open. Frowning, she wondered if he was playing Fallout or if he had any experience in Fallout, little did she know.

Once the others were back in their games, with Harley and Catwoman jumping back into Project Zomboid and Infamous, Ivy jumped right into Fallout.

No matter what, she had to get her hands on that G.E.C.K., she had no idea if the G.E.C.K. would ever appear on the system store again, and she would not risk it.