Chapter 53: Wrong Cure (Patreon)

In the morning following her date with Sebastian, Kara went back to her daily routine. She stepped into the Iceberg Lounge early in the morning and headed straight toward the Penguin’s office, finding the Penguin seated behind his desk as always, with Basil standing nearby, pouring tea.

“Good morning, Mr. Cobblepot! Basil.”

The Penguin looked up, a small smile forming. “Good morning. How was yesterday? Since you didn’t come back, I assume all is well?”

Kara nodded. “Yes. I finally got to try dating. It is actually… fun.”

The Penguin nodded, clearly satisfied. “Glad it went well for you. So, are you two going to do it again?”

“I don’t know,” Kara admitted. “Maybe.”

The Penguin raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t talk about doing it again?”

She shook her head.

Basil said. “Tell me you at least got his phone number. Or any way to contact him.”

Kara hesitated, then shook her head again. “I forgot about that.”

Basil facepalmed himself, while the Penguin leaned back with a faint sigh. “What kind of date is this? Unplanned, no follow-up, no contact.”

“I don’t know,” Kara said, a little defensively. “Everything was… quick.”

“Let’s hope he comes to find you,” the Penguin said. “Waiting for him to randomly appear in Gotham is not a reliable approach.”

Kara nodded, then changed the topic. “By the way… where is Uncle Alfred? This is the first time I haven’t seen him early in the morning.”

The Penguin’s expression flattened slightly. “I don’t know. He didn’t come back yesterday, and early this morning he informed me he has a personal errand. Said he might not be around until evening.”

“That’s… weird,” Kara said.

“I agree,” the Penguin replied calmly. “But it is not my place to interfere in his life.”

Kara asked, “Mr. Cobblepot… do you know anything about him? Like how he looks, where he comes from, what he does when he’s not working?”

The Penguin shook his head. “No. I was surprised enough when you said he was an alien. He never told me that.” He paused, then added, “And frankly, I don't want to find anything about his personal life. Alfred made it very clear that the day I see his face will be the day I die. And he is not the type to joke about such things.”

Kara went silent.

“So I chose not to ask about it,” the Penguin continued. “And I suggest you do the same. Whatever he is hiding… it matters to him.”

Kara nodded. Curiosity remained, but she had no intention of prying into it. She respected him and respected his desires.

After that, they started their work, and hours later, she stepped into the office again. “Mr. Cobblepot, the representative from Wayne Enterprises is here.”

The Penguin was reading a report, his face set in a deep frown. He looked up at her, the expression unchanged.

Kara paused. “Is something wrong?”

He placed the report down slowly. “Last night, the Joker was up to his usual activities. He kidnapped Commissioner Gordon after shooting his daughter… and killing a civilian.”

Kara froze.

“However,” the Penguin continued, “what caught my attention is that Gordon was saved. He appeared in Gotham PD in a swirl of white flame.”

Kara’s eyes widened. “Sebastian… saved him?”

“Unless someone else can teleport people through white flame,” the Penguin replied evenly.

“How are they?” Kara asked quickly. “Everyone. Including him.”

“Gordon is fine. His daughter is in the hospital,” the Penguin said. “As for Sebastian… his state is unknown. But judging by what he did to the Joker and his men…” He paused. “Physically, he is likely fine.”

Kara frowned. “What does that mean?”

The Penguin tapped the report lightly. “All of the Joker’s goons were killed. Gruesomely.” His voice lowered slightly. “And the Joker was left in a state worse than death.”

Kara stepped closer to the desk. “Let me see.”

The Penguin immediately pulled the report back. “No. You don’t want to read this.”

She looked at him confused.

“You don’t need to know the details of what he had done, it's just a lot,” he added.

Kara stared for a moment then said “I need to find out what happened last night.”

The Penguin studied her for a moment, then sighed.

“I don’t think you should,” he said. “But if you insist, be careful with him, and don’t antagonize him. No one in their right state of mind does something like what he had done.”

Kara nodded once.

Then she disappeared.

The Penguin muttered “If only Alfred were here… at least I could have sent him with her.”

———

Barbara lay still on the hospital bed, her eyes empty. The words the doctors had spoken earlier echoed endlessly in her mind, repeating cruelly. She would never walk again. At first, she had refused to believe it. Then she cried. Now, there was nothing left but a hollow silence inside her, as if everything had simply… stopped.

She had never imagined her life ending like this.

Her thoughts drifted, unbidden, to Sebastian. To the way he had called her cursed again and again, always with that infuriating tone. She felt annoyed by him. But now, she couldn’t help but agree with him. He had been right about other things. Too many things. If he was right about this as well… then someone innocent had died because of her. And worse, she now shared a portion of guilt with him, for what he had done to the Joker’s men.

But more than anything else, what pressed down on her chest in that moment was the loneliness. Her father had left over two hours ago without words. She wanted to have someone by her side, anyone.

And as if answering her thoughts, the door burst open.

“Babs!!”

Kara rushed in, still in her civilian clothes, her voice filled with urgency as she crossed the room in an instant. “Are you alright? I came as soon as I heard the news.”

Barbara turned her head slightly, and the moment she saw her, the fragile control she had rebuilt shattered again. Tears welled up instantly.

“I’m not,” she said, her voice breaking. “The doctors said I won’t be able to walk again. The Joker’s bullet… it severed my spine.”

Kara froze in place. “No…” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

Barbara’s tears came harder. “I’m really cursed,” she said. “Because of me, someone died. Sebastian’s friend… he died trying to protect me.”

“So that’s why he went after the Joker,” Kara said quietly. “To take revenge.”

Barbara nodded weakly. “Yes. I heard… he left unrecognizable bodies behind.” Her voice trembled. “All of those people… Jimmy… they died because of me.”

Kara remained silent for a moment before shaking her head. 

“You’re not at fault,” she said firmly. “The Joker did this. And Sebastian chose to take revenge. You are a victim in this.”

Barbara looked away. “I don’t know anymore. Every time something bad happens… I’m there.” Her voice dropped. “I am really cursed.”

“I believe that you are not cursed,” Kara said. “You can’t take Sebastian’s words for… granted”

Kara went silent.

Even through her tears, Barbara noticed Kara’s behavior.

“What is wrong?” she asked.

Kara looked at her, hesitant now. 

“Were you… pregnant?” she asked carefully. “Did you lose the child as well?”

Barbara froze.

“What are you asking all of a sudden?!” she snapped, startled and confused.

Kara winced slightly. “Sorry. But… did you sleep with Batman?”

“No!!” Barbara shot back instantly. “Of course not! How could you even say that? And at a time like this?!”

Kara raised her hands.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…” She hesitated, then continued, “When I met Sebastian after he beat Bane, we talked. And one of the things he said… was that he committed to calling you cursed because of what will happen to you.”

Barbara calmed, her focus sharpening despite everything. “What… did he say?”

Kara replied “He said you would sleep with Batman, get pregnant, then get shot by the Joker. That the bullet would sever your spine and leave you paralyzed. And that your father would be tortured naked into madness by the Joker.”

Silence fell over the room.

Barbara stared at her, unmoving.

“He said all of that? How did he know?” she asked.

Kara nodded. “I didn’t take it seriously at the time. I thought he was just angry at you.” She hesitated. “He said it was divine revelation from his god. That the future could change if he told someone about it.”

Barbara’s expression didn’t change, but something in her eyes shifted.

“He was sure something changed,” Kara continued. “Because he told me. But he said even he doesn’t know how things will change.”

Barbara remained still for several seconds before speaking again. “He… did refer to Bruce as my boyfriend before,” she murmured.

Another silence.

“If he knew this would happen,” Barbara said slowly, “why didn’t he try to stop it? His friend died!”

Kara shook her head. “He doesn’t know everything. And this is already different from what he saw.” She looked at Barbara. “You didn’t get pregnant. And your father didn’t go insane.”

Barbara stared at her.

“I don’t know how this works,” Kara admitted. “But he was right, things changed because he told me. I don’t think he saw or expected his friend dying.”

There was a few seconds of silence between them before Kara spoke again.

“Can you think of a place where I can find Sebastian?”

Barbara said in confusion. “Why?”

“I don’t think he’s in a good place right now,” Kara said. “And I want to talk to him.”

Barbara stared at her for a moment. For a brief second, she almost asked Kara to stay by her side. To not leave her alone in this state. But the words never came out. Instead, she looked away slightly.

“I don’t know,” she said. “But if he’s not in Gotham… he might be at his cult in Colombia. And even if he’s not there, they should be able to find him.” She paused. “Their little god can do that.”

Before Kara could respond, the door opened.

“I’m back.”

Both of them turned toward the entrance to see commissioner Gordon stepping inside. He glanced at Kara.

“Hello there,” he said. “You’re Babs’ friend from the library. Kara, right?”

Kara nodded. “Yes, sir. How are you doing? I heard what happened to you both and… I came here.”

Gordon gave a small nod. “Thank you. I’m doing well. I was… saved before things got worse.”

Barbara spoke up, her voice quieter now. “Kara is a close friend of mine. She knows everything. And… she’s a friend of Sebastian.”

Gordon paused at that. “You are really a friend with him?”

Kara nodded again.

Gordon closed the door fully, then walked closer to the bed. Without another word, he reached into his coat and brought out a small cloth-wrapped ball, holding it between them.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he said.

Barbara and Kara both looked at it.

“Babs,” Gordon said, “this is the… ‘blessed cocaine’ Sebastian used to heal himself. He said it can heal your spine.”

Both of them froze.

“You went to meet him?” Barbara asked. “Is that why you left?”

Gordon nodded. “I had a hunch. If I looked into James’ burial, I would find him. I had officers keep an eye out. As I suspected, Sebastian signed the papers. James had no family, and Sebastian was his only friend.”

Barbara swallowed. “So… he was in the cemetery. Burying him?”

“Yes.”

“And you asked him for it?” she continued. “And he just… gave it to you? Did he ask for anything in return?”

Gordon shook his head. “Nothing.”

Barbara stared at the cloth in his hand. “I don’t understand… He doesn’t like me. His friend died because of me. Why would he give you that?”

“I think James was right,” he said. “Sebastian… deep down, he is a good person.”

Barbara didn’t respond.

“He didn’t blame you,” Gordon continued. “He blamed everything. James’ actions… the Joker…” He paused. “And himself. He said James died because he met him.”

The girls thought of the future Sebastian saw and concluded he blamed himself for changing it.

“Babs,” Gordon said gently, extending the cloth toward her, “try it.”

Barbara hesitated.

Then slowly, she reached out and took it.

She unwrapped the cloth, revealing the fine white powder inside. She stared at it, her brows furrowing.

“I’m… going to do drugs?” she said faintly. “This is so wrong.”

“I know,” Gordon said. “But James said it heals people. And you said it healed him from bullets.” He held her gaze. “It’s worth trying.”

Kara stood quietly to the side, watching. Even she felt the strangeness of the moment, the wrongness of it.

Still, she spoke. “Babs… do it. It’s not a drug. It’s… medicine.”

Barbara closed her eyes.

Then she leaned forward burying her nose in the powder and inhaled as strong as she could.

An intense burning sensation erupted in her nose, spreading rapidly across her face, into her head, then down her spine like liquid fire. Despite it, she kept inhaling as much as she could.

She pulled back, her nose dusted white, her eyes wide.

“I feel… weird.”

A moment later, white fire burst from her body.

“It’s too hot!!” she cried and then suddenly laughed. “It’s tingling… it’s funny…hahaha!”

“Babs?” Gordon said urgently. “Are you okay?”

Barbara turned toward him and then, without hesitation, swung her legs off the bed and stood up.

Gordon’s eyes widened. “Babs… you’re walking.”

“Of course I am walking,” Barbara said, laughing. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She tilted her head. “Are you okay, dad? Should I take you to the hospital?”

“Sebastian’s… medicine is messing with her head,” Kara said. “But it worked.”

Barbara turned toward her, her expression shifting. “Medicine? That drug dealer only has drugs!” she snapped suddenly. “He’s only good at selling drugs to children and hitting my face, he likes to hit me!”

Her expression twisted as tears welled up again. “Every time he aims at my face… he…”

The white fire around her flickered… and vanished.

Barbara blinked.

Her body stilled.

She lifted a hand to her head. 

“What… am I doing?” she muttered. “What is going on?”

She looked at Kara, confused.

Before she could process anything further, Gordon stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Babs… you’re fine,” he said, his voice breaking.

Barbara stiffened. “Dad… what’s wrong?”

Kara said “Your legs, did you forget?”

Barbara froze.

Then her eyes widened as everything came rushing back.

She looked down at her legs and realized she was healed