DC: A Cop in Gotham

Chapter 20: Ivy Vs. Dean

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Poison Ivy was not expecting such a figure to suddenly materialize out of the Poké Ball. Dean wasted no time, seizing the moment of confusion.

The metallic hum of Hoshikudaki sang through the air as Dean unleashed his full strength, slicing through the tangle of vines tethering Poison Ivy. The severed vegetation recoiled violently, releasing her from the jungle's embrace. She fell to the ground with a gasp, her composure momentarily shattered.

Before she could recover, Dean's blade was already positioned at her chest. The tip gleamed as it hovered inches away, ready to strike.

"Sorry, Ivy," Dean said coldly, gripping the hilt tightly with both hands. "Manaphy stays with me. It's safer this way."

He pressed the blade forward, just enough to pierce her chest. Her expression twisted, not with pain, but with bemusement, as though amused by his attempt to threaten her.

"I'll give you one chance," Dean declared, his voice firm. "Release everyone trapped in this jungle. You have three seconds. Three... two..."

Dean didn't waste time on further words. He understood that hesitation could cost him everything. Poison Ivy wasn't just a manipulator of plants—she was the avatar of the Green itself, a force of nature capable of regrowing faster than he could attack. Every second he delayed increased the risk of failure.

Still impaled by Hoshikudaki, Ivy tilted her head, her lips curling into a sly smile. "One," Dean hissed, finishing his countdown. Without hesitation, he twisted the blade, ensuring her heart would shatter under the pressure.

Yet Ivy barely flinched. She seemed utterly unfazed, gazing at him with eerie calm.

"You're wasting your time," she murmured, her voice honeyed yet venomous.

Dean's heart sank as thick vines surged upward, snaking around his legs and wrenching him into the air. The sudden force left him disoriented and helpless, his body suspended upside-down.

He struggled against the tightening tendrils, but they were unyielding. His earlier resolve faltered. He had underestimated her power, and now it was too late.

Poison Ivy watched him dangle, her expression serene. "Do you see, little one?" she cooed, her eyes shifting toward Manaphy, now encased within the petals of a vibrant pink flower. The creature wriggled weakly, its cries muffled as the petals sealed shut.

"In the face of nature's power, humans are nothing but ignorant fools who overestimate their strength," Ivy continued, her voice dripping with disdain.

The jungle around them seemed to pulse in response, the vegetation thriving under her influence. Ivy's chest remained impaled by Hoshikudaki, yet she moved with ease, her body adapting seamlessly.

The fibrous vines beneath her skin twisted and wove together, reconstructing her form layer by layer. Even her "human" appearance, from flesh to skin, was revealed to be nothing more than a façade—organic plant tissue masquerading as a woman's body.

"I'm not merely Poison Ivy anymore," she announced, her tone reverent. "I am the Heart of the Forest, its 'will made' flesh."

With a wave of her hand, the vines that held Dean aloft slammed him to the ground. He groaned, his vision blurring as the impact rattled his body.

Dean's mind raced as he lay pinned against the jungle floor. He had hoped his surprise attack would end the battle swiftly, but he had miscalculated Ivy's regenerative power and control over the Green.

This wasn't just an opponent with superhuman abilities—it was a literal force of nature. Killing her in her domain was nearly impossible without specific tools or allies. And Dean knew his time was running out.

"Damian… Nightwing…" he muttered under his breath. "You better get here fast."

Unknown to Poison Ivy, Dean had anticipated her surveillance and planned for it. Nightwing and Damian were monitoring his location, tracking his position as he ventured deeper into the jungle. They'd know something was wrong the moment his movements ceased.

Meanwhile, Ivy loomed over him, her green eyes glowing faintly. "You've fought valiantly," she said, her voice tinged with mockery. "But your struggle is meaningless. Even if your allies manage to find this place, they won't be able to stop me."

Her smile widened as she added, "Not even Superman could defeat me here. Like Swamp Thing, I am immortal so long as the Green endures. This jungle is my domain."

Dean clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. He knew she wasn't exaggerating. Swamp Thing, another avatar of the Green, was nearly invincible within his swamp. Poison Ivy had ascended to a similar level, her power amplified by the same source.

"Manaphy's better off under my protection," Ivy declared. "The Green will keep it safe from human greed and destruction. You can't deny that."

Dean's breath hitched as Ivy leaned closer, her fingertips grazing his cheek. Her touch sent a numbing chill through his body. He realized too late that the vines restraining him were injecting neurotoxins into his bloodstream.

His vision dimmed as Ivy gently kissed his forehead, a twisted gesture of affection.

"You'll become one with the forest," she whispered. "And with me."

Dean's muscles stiffened as the toxins took hold. His thoughts grew foggy, and his body refused to respond. He reached for Hoshikudaki, but his fingers barely twitched.

Was this the end? Would he fail to protect Manaphy after coming so far?

Then, something unexpected happened. A surge of energy jolted through Dean's body as his hand brushed against Hoshikudaki's hilt. Despite the fog clouding his mind, a single thought crystallized:

'I've never called out its name in battle. Maybe… maybe it's time to try.'

With every ounce of strength he could muster, Dean formed the words in his mind, summoning the sword's latent power.

"Hoshikudaki…"

A faint glow emanated from Hoshikudaki as Dean whispered its name. The sword vibrated in response, a low hum reverberating through the jungle. The vines constricting him faltered, their grip loosening as though unsure of themselves.

Poison Ivy frowned, her gaze snapping to the weapon in Dean's hand. "What's this?" she muttered, unease creeping into her voice.

Dean's lips curled into a weak smirk. "You said humans were ignorant… but we're also full of surprises."

The glow from Hoshikudaki intensified, spreading through the vines that still clung to Dean. With a burst of energy, the blade severed the tendrils, freeing him completely. He staggered to his feet, gripping the sword tightly as it pulsed with renewed vigor.

Poison Ivy's unease turned to anger. She raised her hands, commanding the forest to respond. Massive roots erupted from the ground, their gnarled forms reaching toward Dean like serpents.

"You think that toy can save you?" she sneered. "The Green is eternal! You're fighting nature itself!"

Dean didn't answer. Instead, he lunged forward, Hoshikudaki cutting through the air with precision. The roots tried to intercept him, but the sword cleaved through them effortlessly, its energy leaving a trail of scorched vegetation in its wake.

The fight escalated as Ivy summoned more of the jungle's power. Vines lashed out, trees bent and swayed unnaturally, and the ground itself shifted beneath Dean's feet. Despite the onslaught, he pressed on, Hoshikudaki carving a path through the chaos.

As the battle raged, Ivy began to transform again. Her body grew taller and more grotesque, merging with the forest around her. Her once humanoid appearance gave way to something monstrous—a towering figure of bark and vine, her glowing eyes peering down at Dean with disdain.

"I am the Heart of the Forest!" she bellowed, her voice echoing like thunder. "You cannot win!"

Dean's resolve didn't waver. He knew he couldn't defeat her in raw power, but he didn't need to. All he needed was a way to disrupt her connection to the Green.

And he had just the thing.

The Omnitrix on Dean's wrist began to hum, its hourglass symbol glowing faintly. It had been monitoring his condition and the environment, adapting to the situation. With a familiar chime, the device activated on its own.

A green flash enveloped Dean as his body transformed. When the light faded, he was no longer human. Standing in his place was a creature made entirely of plant life, its form wiry and agile, with tendrils sprouting from its back like vines.

Dean flexed his new limbs, a sharp grin spreading across his alien face. "Well, this is different," he said, his voice now distorted and sharp. "Guess you're not the only plant monster around here, Ivy."

Poison Ivy stared in disbelief. "What… what are you?"

Dean tilted his head, his large, glowing eyes narrowing. "You can call me Wildvine," he said. "And I'm here to prune this garden."

The two plant-based entities clashed, their bodies intertwining in a chaotic dance of combat. Ivy's massive form lashed out with roots and tendrils, while Dean—now Wildvine—dodged and countered with surprising agility.

The jungle trembled under the intensity of their battle. Ivy's raw power seemed overwhelming at first, but Dean's new form allowed him to adapt. He used the jungle against her, manipulating nearby plants to block her attacks and strike from unexpected angles.

"I told you," Ivy hissed, her voice strained. "You can't defeat me! The Green is mine to command!"

Dean smirked. "You're not listening, Ivy. The Green doesn't belong to anyone. It's a part of everything, and that includes me now."

With a burst of energy, Dean unleashed a volley of seed pods from his back. The pods exploded on impact, releasing spores that clung to Ivy's form. She recoiled, struggling to shake them off.

"What is this?" she demanded, her voice laced with panic.

"Survival of the fittest," Dean replied. "Even plants have to fight for dominance."

The spores spread rapidly, disrupting Ivy's connection to the Green. Her massive form began to wither, the vibrant greenery around her fading to a dull brown.

"No!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "This is not possible!"

Dean didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his tendrils wrapping around Ivy's core. With a final, decisive move, he tore a glowing green orb from her chest.

The orb pulsed weakly in his grasp, its light flickering. Ivy's form collapsed, her body shrinking back to its humanoid appearance. She lay on the ground, motionless but alive.

The jungle around them began to dissolve, the plants retreating as the Green's influence waned. The once-dense forest faded, revealing the gray skyline of Gotham in the distance.

Dean reverted to his human form, the Omnitrix's light dimming as the transformation ended. He stood over Ivy, who stirred weakly, her eyes fluttering open.

"Welcome back to Gotham," Dean said, his tone even. "The Green may have power, but it's not enough to escape this city's darkness."

Ivy glared at him but said nothing. She was too weak to respond, her body trembling as it adjusted to its diminished state.

Dean glanced at the pink flower that held Manaphy. With a gentle touch, he pried it open, freeing the small creature inside. Manaphy chirped softly, clinging to Dean's arm as he cradled it.

"You're safe now," he said, his voice softening.

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