Portends Batgirl’s Righteous Defiance

The wind grew stronger as Batgirl remained prone on the late Patience Phillips’ canopied bed. The Shapely Sentinel’s head was turned toward two barely visible mirrors. Together with a lightning flash, these mirrors suddenly revealed the needles impaling her offered back and rendering her motionless. The associated thunder portended the arrival of the deadly, viscous fluid flowing along the sinister strands of silk Spider-Priestess’ shapely sycophants had arranged above their comely captive.

Vixen had literally given Batgirl to the sinister Spider-Priestess, who had employed acupuncture needles to immobilize her while deadly venom traversed the web above. Shortly after it saturated her body, the muscles controlling her lungs would cease to function and her breathing would stop, following her final breath.

Batgirl bitterly considered the thoroughness with which Spider-Priestess had planned her demise. The rain outside the open window became more intense as thunder and another lightening flash revealed the venom growing constantly closer to the heroine.

A sudden gust of wind made Gotham City’s Dark Angel quiver with cold once again. Another streak of lightning allowed her to see in the mirror how beautifully defined her muscles were. 'I’ve got to get out of this bed,' Batgirl thought, 'somehow!'

Yet another lightening flash and thunderclap occurred, as Batgirl began to ponder the question of how she might escape. 'Wait a minute!' she thought, staring at the mirror. 'The storm winds are bending the silken strands of the web! Am I imagining things, or does the blowing web represent the slim chance to escape for which I never could have hoped? ’

Batgirl’s initial attempts to move had failed utterly. She had allowed herself to vainly search for other means of escape until she had seen the effect the wind was having on the web. Smiling beneath her gag, she tried to move her limbs away from the wall and her spirits were buoyed tremendously when her arm and leg shifted. ‘Success!’ she thought delightedly. ‘The wind must have caused the needles in my back to shift just enough to allow slight movements. Now, I have a race against time to win! Otherwise . . . .’

She had a long way to go, and it was far too soon to celebrate.

Batgirl’s next move would both literally and figuratively involve considerably more effort. She wanted to lift herself and slide closer to the tantalizing edge of the bed. Glancing at the mirror during the next lightening flash, she wondered whether her plan could possibly succeed.

Despite the wind causing the expertly positioned needles to withdraw slightly from her body, they remained in place, and, although they had never caused her pain, the acupuncture instruments still rendered her utterly helpless. Situated as they were, the needles might yet do their job and enable Spider-Priestess’ venom to accomplish its lethal task.

'Here we go!' the heroine thought.

Lightening illuminated her muscles as she raised herself and pushed away from the wall, landing a mere inch from her starting point. 'Progress, but less than I had hoped,' Batgirl thought. She filled her lungs and repeated her maneuver, inching closer to the edge of the bed. Between each Herculean exertion, she briefly rested before refilling her lungs.

Each time Batgirl’s body hit the mattress, she sank deeply into its soft surface and was compelled to expend strength, both to fill her lungs and raise her body. All the while, the venom descended along the web strands. Batgirl began to sweat despite the cold wind caressing her. ‘Will my ebbing strength earn my release,’ the Curved Crusader silently asked herself, ‘or will I exhaust myself and collapse, powerless to do anything but wait for death?’

She knew, if she wanted to live, she could not give up. The question would soon be resolved, one way or another.

Again she flung herself sideways and felt her breasts sink into the mattress as her lungs emptied. She stared along the length of the arm closest to the edge of the bed as she took in some air. Her hand could grip the edge of the mattress, but the venom had reached the needles impaling her costume and flesh!

'Time’s up,' Batgirl thought. 'It’s escape right now or die!' The time she would need to inch from the bed with her exhausting maneuver was no longer available. ‘I’ve only got one chance!’

Batgirl slid the foot closest to the edge of the bed off the mattress and tightened her hand’s grip. She then tried to lift the opposite side of her body and trust in gravity to drag her to the floor, away from Spider-Priestess’ deadly, venom-slathered needles.

'Come on!' she silently encouraged herself, feeling her shoulder lift.

Seconds after the heroine exhaled, she closed her eyes as her body came to rest. The echoes of a long moan gave way to silence.

The storm had blown over when Vixen languidly stretched and turned, smiling at the man now sleeping soundly beside her. They were both enveloped almost completely in silk and glowing. Her head settled comfortably onto the pillow as she reviewed her experiences since leaving Batgirl to her fate.

She had ridden from Patience Philips’ apartment with only Spider-Priestess in a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, arriving quickly at Webmaster’s Internet Café. There, the young villainess had let the call girl look through a computerized file folder of male ‘acolytes,’ one of whom would perform Vixen’s initiation ritual into the Bluestone Spider Society. The brunette had begun smiling when she recognized her selection’s picture, but said nothing until she had read his complete profile. The brief search was over.

His name was Archie Arcane and Vixen knew he was Black Widow’s nephew. He had single-handedly returned the senior citizen super villainess from her first retirement from crime and brought in Batman and Robin to help his aunt with a crime spree which had culminated with taking the inhabitants of Wayne Manor hostage. Batwoman and Flamebird had helped with the criminals’ capture on that occasion, the Distaff Duo’s debut case.

Archie Arcane had been able to afford a top flight legal team and quickly won the freedom to enjoy the night life on the seamy side of Gotham City. Vixen had been on his arm for many of those occasions and he had frequently taken advantage of her full range of services.

The car in which he had picked her up after being summoned exuded luxury. The penthouse apartment to which he took her was furnished with exquisite taste.

“You’ve done rather well,” Vixen had said conversationally, favoring him with one of her most engaging smiles.

“Oh, I just stay here when I’m in town,” Archie Arcane had replied, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s been a number of years since I saw you.”

“I’ve been in and out of town since I saw you last, but Gotham City has always been where my kind of action is.”

“We’ll have plenty of time for action after the ritual.”

Vixen’s grin had been impish and eager. “Well, then let’s get started.”

“It’s a short procedure. I’ll need to help you out of your outfit.”

“Oh,” the brunette had inquired, “already? Just what exactly does the ritual entail?”

“I’m going to give you a tattoo.”

“I’ve heard several variations of that corny, pick-up line before. Still, it looks like most of what your old mistresses told me about you is true,” Vixen had replied, with a coy smile. “I think we all felt you took great care of us, and personally, for the record, I’d still tell anyone you are a terrific guy.” After regarding him a long moment, her face had transformed. “Wait a minute! You’re serious about the tattoo. Aren’t you?”

The ink drawing was red, simple, and depicted a spider on the small of her back. She had been able to see it easily in the mirrors on either side of the bed where Archie had chosen to work. “What do you think?” the artist had asked, once the drawing was complete.

“It’s nice. Is there anything else, like an incantation or something?”

“Spider-Priestess told me the incantation was spoken as the spider blood was drawn at midnight during a full moon and that appropriate spells were cast afterwards.”

“Oh, it sounds like there is more mumbo jumbo involved in this ritual than one might think,” Vixen had said, shrugging.

“Society members take their tattoos very seriously, Vixen,” Archie Arcane had explained. “New female members, like you, always get a blood spider, which is red, and men get blue spiders. If two Society members of opposite sexes marry, the opposite color spider is drawn over each member’s tattoo, thus turning both black.”

“So, somewhere on your body is a blue spider tattoo?” Vixen had asked, grinning.

“Absolutely,” Archie Arcane had replied, as his mouth curled into a smile.

“Show me,” Vixen had commanded.

Much later, Vixen pulled down the single, silk sheet covering both her and Archie since the mutual tattoo admiration had ended. Only her hips and legs were covered when she rolled onto her stomach, yawned, and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Sunrise was still hours away, and the events her actions had set in motion would have long since concluded, one way or another. She cursed quietly and tried to forget everything for which she might be responsible as she studied her reflection, looking for her spider tattoo.

When she found it, she stared momentarily with wide eyes and blinked to be sure she was not imagining things. More loudly than she might have wished, she began to ask, “What the–!”

“What?” Archie Arcane drowsily asked as Vixen shook his shoulder gently. He focused on the woman beside him. “Vixen, what’s wrong?”

“Where did you draw my spider?” she asked.

“On the small of your back,” Archie Arcane said, yawning. “Your spine bisected it. Remember? I showed it to you before you started . . . um . . . looking for mine.”

“That’s what I thought,’ the girl said. “Look at my back now and tell me what you see.”

“Nothing I haven’t at least seen before,” Archie Arcane grumbled. “You woke me up so I could look at your naked—”

“Just tell me what you see!” Vixen tartly said.

“Okay,” Archie Arcane conceded, lifting his head to examine her bare back. The red spider was now positioned at the bottom of Vixen’s left shoulder blade!

“Wow!” Archie Arcane said, “It moved—a lot!” Suddenly, he was wide awake. “Did my spider move, too?” He rolled onto his stomach.

Vixen pulled the silk covering away from his body so she could clearly see his back and reached for Archie’s spider, tracing the design with her finger. “It’s right here,” she said.

Archie Arcane propped himself up on an elbow and turned his head to regard Vixen. “I have never seen this happen to anyone in the Society.”

“You realize what happened to your spider?” Vixen asked.

“It moved to the lower part of my right shoulder blade, just like yours did,” Archie Arcane said. “That’s amazing! It might even be miraculous. My spider started at the small of my back, like yours. I’ve had it for awhile and it’s never moved before. Spider-Priestess will be thrilled.”

“Why?”

“You and I both know it’s impossible for tattoos to crawl across a person’s body, but this strange phenomenon seems to have happened to both of us.”

Vixen giggled. “Was that because we–?”

“I think the tattoos are demonstrating our power,” Archie said, ignoring the girl’s question.

“Are you talking about sorcery, witchcraft, or something else?”

The young man spoke with profound sincerity. “I’m talking about prophecies about which you know nothing.”

Her eyes sparkled with eager anticipation. “Well, tell me.”

Archie turned away to lie flat on his belly on the bed. “It’s better to ask Spider-Priestess your questions.”

“I have an even better idea than that,” Vixen said. “Let’s find out where our spiders were going.”

Arcane looked back over his shoulder. “You mean you want to—”

Vixen giggled again and grinned at him. “Roll over!” she commanded.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said enthusiastically.

The call girl had wanted to pump a member of the Society for information and she had reasoned she had the best chance of leaning things from her old client, Archie Arcane. ‘Now that he’s thinking about the Society, I can probably learn something interesting,’ she thought. ‘Of course, I didn’t realize the process would be so literal.’ Mentally, Vixen shrugged. He had obeyed and was smiling up at her as her body eclipsed his.

Meanwhile, Batgirl tore the gag from her mouth and stood shakily. She took an experimental step, maintaining her balance. Confidently, she took another, moving to the light switch and turning it on. She crossed the room slowly and leaned out the open window, breathing deeply. “I would probably be dead now if Vixen hadn’t opened these windows,” she said. “I wonder . . . .”

She closed the windows and turned, focusing momentarily on the puddle of spider venom drying on the mattress, before planning her next move. ‘Spider-Priestess thinks she and her people got rid of everything Patience found pointing to the Bluestone Spider Society’s existence,’ she thought. “Well,” she said aloud, “I’d better make sure.”

Searching an area for specific items is different from searching for clues one might not be able to identify beforehand, and searching so no one would realize a place had been searched is different from tearing it to pieces. Batgirl could not justify being subtle as she went through Patience Phillips’ apartment.

The Curved Crusader started in the bedroom and took her time, looking in pockets and the backs and bottoms of drawers after tossing their contents to the floor, one item at a time. The locked, bedroom door presented Batgirl no difficulty whatsoever, and as the search continued, she missed no possible hiding place.

Spider-Priestess and her people had been as thorough as they believed. In fact, the only things of use Batgirl found were her cape and utility belt, which she put on. Frustrated, she glared at the shadow the morning sun now cast over the mess she had made. The shadow’s hands, like hers, rested on shapely hips.

Her frown intensified when the buzzer sounded.

With a shrug, Batgirl moved to the intercom. “Yes?" she said.

“I have a package, Ms. Phillips,” a uniformed girl Batgirl spotted from the window said. “You’ll need to sign for it.”

Batgirl walked to the apartment door and inhaled deeply before letting out her breath slowly. “Ms. Phillips is out, but I’d be happy to sign for her package.”

“Well, ordinarily I need the recipient’s signature, but if you’re willing to sign for it, I wouldn’t have to come back later.”

“It’s up to you,” Batgirl said, smiling. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.”

The girl shrugged. “If I can’t trust Batgirl, who can I trust?” she reasoned. “Could I get an autograph, too?”

“Certainly,” Batgirl agreed. The Curved Crusader’s mood had completely transformed.

She provided the delivery girl with two signatures and carried the package through Patience Phillips’ door. When the delivery truck had gone, she hurried to the Batgirlcycle with the parcel and returned to Barbara Gordon’s apartment, where she tore it open.

“Jackpot!” Batgirl enthused.

Patience Phillips had mailed herself copies of everything she had learned about the Bluestone Spider Society. Batgirl had just enough time to change for work and pack the thick bundle of documents she planned to study at her office into Barbara Gordon’s briefcase.

“I told you the ritual would ensure your absolute loyalty,” Spider-Priestess told Vixen when the call girl and Archie Arcane told the redhead about the movement of their tattoos. Both ink drawings had moved to their possessors’ bare shoulders, where Archie’s muscle shirt and Vixen’s strapless, black dress left them plainly visible.

“Archie told me a little about the nature of the ink used in the tattoos and he mentioned there’s a prophecy you could tell me more about.”

“I was right to accept your tribute and spare you, Vixen,” Spider-Priestess said, her eyes sparkling as she leaned forward and regarded the pair who had come to her in the media center above Webmaster’s Internet Café. “A miracle took place last night.”

“So, the tattoos don’t normally move?” Archie Arcane asked.

“Of course not,” Spider-Priestess said. “You two are destined to transform the Bluestone Spider Society and it’s time for Archie to begin his quest.”

“How do you know?” Vixen asked.

“The prophecy speaks of a woman who will select the man to use the Society’s most treasured artifact before she triggers a transformation within the organization.”

“The woman’s spider tattoo is to crawl from the base of her spine to her shoulder?” Vixen asked.

“Exactly,” Spider-Priestess said.

“So, Vixen is the woman and she selected me,” Archie Arcane said. “What is the Society’s greatest artifact, and how exactly will I use it? For what purpose?”

“The prophecy is cryptic and, as the chosen one, your quest shall be for knowledge first,” Spider-Priestess explained.

“So, if I understand what you’re telling me, you don’t know what this item is or how it is to be used and I won’t either, until I complete these studies?” Archie Arcane inquired.

“Precisely,” Spider-Priestess confirmed. “I am duty bound to provide you with a complete archive of prophecies and an index of scholarly material the Bluestone Spider Society has maintained over the centuries at various locations around the world, throughout its existence.” She gripped a figure of a spider on one wall, and pushed against it before turning it to one side, prompting a panel in one wall to slide aside and reveal a keypad. Her finger tapped in a code before she pulled on a handle to open a safe hidden in the wall.

“Secret panels have become so high tech,” Vixen murmured.

“The security built into this one is more lethal than your tattoos are capable of being, under the right circumstances,” the redhead replied. The formerly concealed chamber contained a valise Spider-Priestess presented to Archie Arcane with a formal bow. “The contents of that case will grant you access to secret libraries which have grown over the centuries.”

“Some of the documents have obviously been computerized,” Vixen said. “What is that case of data worth?”

“Those documents are priceless and have been translated for the chosen one,” Spider-Priestess said. “Study them carefully, Archie Arcane, for they will reveal your destiny.”

“I am honored, Spider-Priestess,” Archie Arcane said, taking the case. “Tell me. Can you provide anything else to help with my . . . studies?”

“Not really,” Spider-Priestess replied. “The contents of that case are for your eyes only. I’d recommend getting started immediately. You must be prepared to embrace your destiny.” She touched his shoulder and regarded him with a steady gaze. “It could find you at any time. Go!”

“Well, ladies,” Archie Arcane said, glancing at Vixen and flashing a smile. “Dealing with you has, as always, been a pleasure. I’d best be going to pack, so I can learn about my destiny.”

“You were wonderful, Archie,” Vixen said. “Thank you, for everything.” They embraced and kissed deeply once again before Archie Arcane turned to go. As he left, Vixen thought, ‘You answered many of my questions. It is much better for you to be elsewhere while I confirm your answers.’

“Now,” Spider-Priestess began, “I trust you found the little demonstration of the Bluestone Spider Society’s power adequately impressive.”

“It’s miraculous, Spider-Priestess,” Vixen said, making no attempt to conceal her genuine awe. “I cannot adequately describe what has happened.”

Spider-Priestess smiled knowingly. “The words ‘sorcery’ and ‘witchcraft’ don’t come close to describing what you are experiencing. I’d imagine being the living embodiment of an ancient prophecy is somewhat daunting.”

“I have to say I’m finding my experience surprising,” Vixen admitted. “At this time yesterday, I didn’t anticipate anything like what happened to me.”

“Well, delivering Batgirl to me for disposal, and fulfilling one of the Bluestone Spider Society’s prophecies, will likely keep me from regretting sparing your life. I’m delighted at the degree to which you’ve embraced my organization and your destiny.”

Vixen hid a smirk behind her hand as she pondered how the apparent miracle had transpired. ‘I’ve always been able to spot a career opportunity,’ she thought. Then, she feigned a cough and said, “I’m curious about the future. Help me understand how a secret society will remain secret while demonstrating its power to all of Gotham City.”

“Come. I’ll show you the source of the terror I will unleash on Gotham,” Spider-Priestess said. As the redhead spoke, Vixen watched an unholy light kindle in her companion’s eyes. “As the citizenry looks upon the face of my terror, the force directing it will be far from the collective, public mind. Afterward, the spoils will be most impressive. The proper time to unleash the terror I’m preparing is fast approaching.”

“I’m all yours,” Vixen said, following the young villainess and thinking, ‘This adventure could prove much more profitable than I had ever dared imagine.’ Both women were smiling for their own reasons as they left the media center.

Barbara Gordon’s face wore a concerned frown when she finished reading Patience Phillips’ files on the Bluestone Spider Society. She picked up the phone and arranged a meeting with her father, Commissioner James Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department.

The Commissioner listened attentively to his daughter’s story as she sat across from his desk in the heroic guise of Batgirl. “So, are you telling me Vixen saved your life and has managed to infiltrate Spider-Priestess' secret society?”

“I’m not prepared to testify to such an interpretation of events under oath,” Batgirl cautiously said, “but I’m open to it as a working theory.”

“Well, you’ve explained the suspicious fire my people started investigating last night. Did you say we’d find human remains among the ashes of that house?”

“I’m afraid so, Daddy,” Batgirl said seriously. “One of the bodies will be Patience Phillips. I don’t blame Vixen one bit for wanting to avenge her murder.”

“Since you found her body, can you tell me how Patience Phiillips was murdered?”

“Not exactly,” Batgirl admitted. "I know she was tortured; gigantic spiders were used against her; and she died.”

“How do you think this Spider-Priestess acquired such large spiders?”

“When I first encountered her, Spider-Priestess called herself Octo and worked for Black Widow.”

The Commissioner nodded and continued listening.

“Black Widow somehow acquired a trio of gigantic black widow spiders. She tried to feed the Dynamic Duo to two of them after trapping the heroes in one of her enormous webs the year before I started fighting crime as Batgirl. These spiders were electrocuted when Batman and Robin escaped. The third spider was called Shelob. Two years ago, Black Widow injected her spider eggs into my flesh, intending for the baby spiders to devour me after they hatched.”

“You escaped, of course,” the Commissioner said, shuddering. “Some of the deadly schemes and traps your enemies devise are truly horrific.”

“Agreed,” Batgirl concurred. “Black Widow’s relatively enormous spiders are probably Spider-Priestess’ inspiration, but as to how she grew them, I can’t really say.”

“The late Patience Phillips learned some things about Spider-Priestess recent activities?” the Commissioner surmised.

“Patience believed Spider-Priestess and her followers are behind several robberies that took place over the last few months. Medicines and growth hormones were taken from places like Mount Ararat and the Gotham City Hospitals. Also, a few isotopes and other samples vanished from Star Labs, The Gotham City Radium Center, Professor Overbeck’s Atomic Energy Laboratory, and The Gotham Research Institute.

“So, you think Spider-Priestess uses medicines and atomic materials to grow her giant spiders?”

“I think Patience was on to Spider-Priestess, but I’m not prepared to speculate on exactly how the woman who was Octo operates.”

“Fair enough,” the Commissioner said. “Now, she’s lost some of her spiders and might be planning to try growing more soon.”

“I think so,” Batgirl said. “Her problem is she’s already robbed most of the better sources in Gotham City for the materials she seems to need.”

“What will she do if she can’t find the materials she wants?”

“Assuming she doesn’t set up her sinister shop in another city, she’ll have to go to secondary sources.”

“What makes you suspect she will stay in town?”

“She knows Gotham City better than anywhere else.”

“That seems like a good reason. What secondary sources are you talking about, Batgirl?”

“I think the best available source for what Spider-Priestess needs is Gotham City University Medical School, and I’m willing to put my theory to the test.”

“Well, it sounds like you’ve chosen an appropriate venue, even if you’re wrong,” the Commissioner said. “Good luck, Batgirl.”

“Thank you,” the Curved Crusader replied. She stood and quickly crossed her father’s office before vanishing through his double doors with a cheerful wave and a bright smile.

An hour after Batgirl began her vigil at the Gotham City University Medical School, she recognized Charlotte and Silk’s shapely figures as they easily bypassed the alarm on the door and went inside the building. ‘Spider-Priestess' girl goons,’ Batgirl thought. ‘The question is: Are they just the advance party or will they pull the job?’

She was about to move closer when the door opened again and the perfidious pair emerged, carefully wheeling a cart between them. Batgirl grinned and followed stealthily as they approached a closed van. The tiny homing device Batgirl tossed into the vehicle went unnoticed as the stolen chemicals were carefully hoisted inside and secured. Gotham City’s Dark Angel was already on her Batgirlcycle, monitoring the homing signal, when the van pulled away.

“Webmaster’s Intenet Café,” Batgirl muttered as she passed an alley into which the van had turned. She concealed the Batgirlcycle and made her way back stealthily. A locked door let her into a garage where the van had been parked before its stolen contents were removed. A descending freight elevator seemed the most obvious route of egress and Batgirl hurried down a set of stairs she found beside the elevator shaft. ‘Following the thieves using the elevator would arouse suspicion,’ Batgirl decided. A murmur of voices beyond the door at the foot of the stairs made her pause and pull a cone from her utility belt. Placing the wide end against the door, she began to listen.

“Well done, girls,” Spider-Priestess complimented. “Did you have any trouble?”

“None whatsoever, Spider-Priestess,” Silk replied, chuckling.

“It was easy,” Charlotte agreed.

“Forgive my ignorance,” Vixen said, “but will these chemicals help you grow ordinary spiders to the size of the fantastical monsters in games on the Internet?”

“We can use these chemicals, together with other materials, to replicate the proper conditions, to make ordinary spiders not only grow, but produce webs capable of holding Hercules, and venom powerful enough to paralyze a gorilla on steroids. You’ve seen the results,” Spider-Priestess answered, grinning with pride.

“They are very impressive,” Vixen said. “You and your inner circle are the only ones in the Society familiar with these procedures?”

“Archie Arcane will be able to replicate the process with practice,” Spider-Priestess predicted.

“Since female spiders tend to be the hunters,” Charlotte explained. “We’ve kept the details of the process to ourselves.”

“Of course, now that the inner circle has expanded,” Silk added, “the pool of knowledge will grow.”

‘So,’ Vixen thought, ‘these three are the only ones who could possibly be responsible for Patience’s murder.’ The call girl’s eyes narrowed as she felt her mouth tighten into a thin smile that never reached her eyes.

“Come,” Spider-Priestess invited.

Batgirl put her listening cone away and slipped through the door without being seen or raising an alarm. As the four women’s footsteps receded, Batgirl stealthily followed.

The silent chase ended minutes later, when the Curved Crusader reached a torch-lit chamber in which her quartet of quarries had stopped. A large, mesh cage stood closed in the center of the room and a dozen men knelt reverently facing it on the side opposite Batgirl’s position. She felt her stomach tighten as her eyes grew wide with horror.

Half a dozen enormous spiders clung to the metal mesh inside the cage. Outside, spider eggs the size of billiard balls had been heaped to form several small pyramids.

“Let me guess,” Vixen said. “We are about to inject these eggs and distribute them around Gotham City. When enough hatch, a small army of monsters will be unleashed and induce a city-wide panic. The ensuing terror will enable us to hit whatever targets we choose.”

“You’re correct, Vixen,” Spider-Priestess said, her voice betraying delight and anticipation. “My scheme has a second dimension as well. The spiders hatched from the chemically-enhanced eggs will be larger than their sires. We’ll feed a couple of these babies well to use as breeders to grow even larger giant spiders. In a few generations--”

Batgirl had heard enough. She stepped into view, letting her hands settle onto her hips as her legs spread to shoulder width. “Your crime wave is going to wash out before it starts, Spider-Priestess!”

“Batgirl!” Spider-Priestess exclaimed. “You’re alive!”

“No thanks to you!” Batgirl replied.

“You have an uncanny knack for survival,” Charlotte said.

“You know what they say about the fittest,” Batgirl sweetly answered.

“Her knack for escaping deathtraps is becoming extremely annoying,” Silk remarked.

“You make irritation at Batgirl’s continued existence sound like breaking news,” Vixen replied. “You have no idea how many times I’ve had this conversation, and not just about Batgirl.”

“I’ve come to share my thoughts on your monster-breeding program, Spider-Priestess!” the Curved Crusader continued.

“That’s too bad, Batgirl,” Spider-Priestess said, regarding the heroine with a wicked smile. “While I’m surprised to see you still walking and breathing after we tucked you into bed last night, I seem to have neglected feeding these beauties today. Your presence, however, portends a solution to both problems. I’m sure my pretty babies will thoroughly enjoy you, and you won’t be able to do a thing about my plans afterwards.” The redhead laughed harshly.

“I’m not helplessly squirming in one of your webs, Spider-Priestess.”

“You bring up another problem I can remedy quickly,” the villainess boasted. “Boys, prepare the spiders’ next meal!” A gesture prompted Silk and Charlotte to wheel the cart of stolen chemicals out of the battle zone, while Vixen moved to Spider-Priestess’ side at the spider cage door in response to a glance. As the women positioned themselves, the men on the opposite side of the spider cage swarmed toward Batgirl.

She met the first man with a straight-legged, showgirl kick, her signature attack. The Curved Crusader’s victim straightened, staggering back and colliding with several of Spider-Priestess’ other henchmen, taking many of them to the ground.

More of the men ran around their fallen comrades and took hold of Batgirl’s arms, pulling them back and allowing other men to go to work on her abdomen while she squirmed.

Batgirl gritted her teeth and counterattacked, raising a knee into her attacker’s groin. As he fell to his knees, she had a chance to set her feet and whirl, flinging one of the men holding her arms aside. She rammed the arm the men behind her still gripped backward and was rewarded with a grunt. Leaping and spinning, Batgirl brought a heel into the neck of another man behind her and cut him down.

Before she could turn, Batgirl felt hands shove her forward. Off balance, she tripped over one of her victims and hit the floor with a smack.

Spider-Priestess smiled and removed the lock from the spider cage door, eagerly motioning for the men lifting Batgirl’s body to carry it toward the cage.

“Allow me,” Vixen said, reaching to open the cage door.

One of the men holding Batgirl felt the edges of her hands slam into both sides of his neck, seconds before her elbows collided with two noses with stunning force. A backward flip brought Batgirl’s feet to the floor and the heroine stepped back between the men she had stunned and shoved them toward more oncoming goons, who clobbered them.

“I thought we had her,” Spider-Priestess said.

“Be patient,” Vixen advised. “Batgirl is tiring.”

Batgirl’s fists neutralized another of Spider-Priestess’ men and she bent her knees, resting her hands on them. She noticed Silk and Charlotte opening a panel mounted on another wall and heard a sound prompting her to turn toward a man charging at her.

The man felt Batgirl’s hand grip his shoulder and an arm snake between his legs before he flew though the air, slamming into the women working at the panel. Batgirl hurried to their position and realized the cover protected the controls for the Webmaster's Internet Café’s unique security system, with which Gotham City’s Dark Angel was familiar.

It had been two years since Black Widow and the original Ma Parker had lured Batgirl and the Distaff Duo to Webmaster’s Internet Café where Spider-Priestess, then called Octo, and Ma Parker’s daughter, Legs, were waiting with four goons to waylay them. During the inevitable Batfight, Legs Parker and Octo had isolated and flung each heroine, one by one, into a circular curtain woven of a substance resembling black yarn to which the victims’ bodies had immediately adhered. Before leaving, the victorious villains had arranged to asphyxiate the helpless heroines using the establishment’s gas-based fire suppression system.

“Oh, no!” Spider-Priestess cried, stepping forward as Batgirl reached for the controls.

“Oh, yes!” Batgirl enthused, throwing switches and turning to watch several strong, sticky artificial spider webs fall from the ceiling to entwine the men Spider-Priestess had ordered to attack her. “It’s over, Spider-Priestess!”

“Maybe for you it is,” the redhead replied. Batgirl was too slow to react to the click sounding seconds before a mundane net fell over her and retracted, pinning her body against the wall beside the security panel. “You’re now as helpless as the woman I last fed to my pretties. It may take them a little longer to reach their meal, but I’m sure I’ll find your end equally fascinating. This time my inner circle will share the opportunity to watch with me firsthand as an enemy of the Bluestone Spider Society is devoured.”

“I have a better idea,” Vixen said, seizing Spider-Priestess' arm and flinging the redhead into the open cage. “Let’s save Batgirl for dessert. You’re about to be hoist on your own murderous petard.” Vixen let a smile illuminate her face as she slammed and locked the cage door. An unholy light began to dance in the call girl’s eyes.

“What is the meaning of this!?” Spider-Priestess demanded.

“I ‘joined’ your group just to get close enough to learn which of you murdered my friend, Patience Phillips . . . and then to avenge her!” Vixen explained. “You’ve just answered the last of my questions. Bon appetite, Spider-Priestess!”

The spiders in the cage surrounded the redhead and began to crawl toward her. “The Society does not tolerate traitors!” Spider-Priestess yelled, before wincing and falling to her knees. Spiders advanced, covering her body completely. “Silk and Charlotte, destroy Vixen and protect our secrets!” Anything else the redhead in the cage wished to say was left unsaid as a long, agonized scream was torn from Vixen’s victim’s throat.

Silk and Charlotte each selected a vial from their cart of chemicals before separating to attack Vixen from different directions. Batgirl struggled in the net, trying to reach a knife in her utility belt. She knew she would not be free in time to help her former ally.

“Vixen, look out!” the Curved Crusader cried.

The call girl pivoted, waiting in a fighting crouch for the women to come for her. Silk flung the contents of her vial at Vixen, who dodged, but seconds later Charlotte did likewise and the brunette avenger was out of room.

Liquid splattered over the red spider on Vixen’s bare shoulder, covering it. The call girl winced and fell to her knees, gasping. Silk moved forward and mercilessly slammed the heel of one hand into the fallen woman’s throat. Coughing, the brunette’s face contorted with pain as she bent forward and began twitching spasmodically. Charlotte, meanwhile, kicked hard at the victim’s abdomen and was rewarded with a grunt.

“What have you . . . done to me?” Vixen asked, her voice a mere whisper as Spider-Priestess henchwomen knelt over her, grinning and taking demonic pleasure in her painful plight.

“A lethal binary compound is releasing the powerful poison injected into your skin during your initiation ritual,” Silk explained.

“As the chemical streaming over your shoulder mingles with the ink of your tattoo,” Charlotte elaborated, smiling wickedly, “the poisons therein hook up for a little party, before saturating your body’s organs one by one, starting with the skin. It appears the poisoning is just as painful as we had always been led to believe.”

“Your death will be fitting,” Silk declared, “and the intense agony before the end will reward you properly for murdering our Spider-Priestess, in accordance with her last wish.”

“The best part is, as of now, there is nothing anyone can do about it,” Charlotte added, laughing.

Vixen’s breath was coming in labored gasps and her dress was drenched in sweat.

Silk and Charlotte straightened. “Goodbye,” they said in unison. Vixen lay writhing in agony as they turned to leave her.

“We need to tidy up before we go,” Charlotte said. “See to the cart while I attend to the rest.”

“Very good,” Silk agreed. She gathered a few spider eggs and set them gently on the cart before wheeling it toward the elevator.

Charlotte, meanwhile, unlocked and opened the cage before moving to another panel in the wall she also opened. A pane of glass the girl’s elbow shattered had covered a huge red button. “In five minutes, the Bluestone Spider Society will be a well-guarded secret once again,” she said, pressing the button. “That countdown will diminish until this self-destruct mechanism functions.”

“The Society’s inner circle will continue,” Silk said. “When we’ve finished, our organization will rise from the flames like a phoenix. Let’s go, Charlotte!”

“You’re seriously going to kill all those men?” Batgirl asked, horror stricken.

“Sacrifices must be made, Batgirl,” Charlotte said. “Enjoy watching the traitor, Vixen, perish. I think she’ll die shortly before the flames consume you.”

“Alternatively, the creatures to whom she fed our mistress may come and have you for dessert.”

“Unfortunately, Spider-Priestess’ plans to terrorize and loot Gotham City will have to wait. So, for now, Batgirl, you’ve won.”

“The price for your victory, though, will be rather high,” Silk said, laughing, “and Spider-Priestess demanded the cost.”

“It’s time for you to pay the check,” Charlotte teased.

“Cha ching!” the henchwomen simultaneously said as they stood on either side of their cart of spider eggs and stolen chemicals. They laughed as the elevator doors closed and the car began carrying them to safety.

Batgirl glanced at the rapidly diminishing countdown and let out a deep breath. ‘It’s a good thing this net isn’t sticky,’ she thought.

Her hand at last reached her utility belt and drew a well-honed blade. She sliced quickly through her restraints. Seconds later, Batgirl crossed the room and knelt beside where Vixen’s body twitched in acute, lingering agony.

She leaned over Vixen and took the call girl’s pulse before administering a Bat Universal Antidote pill. “Three beats per minute,” Batgirl muttered, “not too good.” Scooping up Vixen’s body in her arms, Batgirl glanced at the dwindling countdown and the men trapped in the artificial webs. “No time!” Batgirl muttered. She looked at the button and the countdown, seeing no sign of wires, detonators, or explosives. “No choice!” Silently, Batgirl cursed.

She decided to take the stairs again. ‘If we get trapped in the elevator when the self-destruct mechanism goes off, it will become a gas chamber or worse!’ Batgirl thought.

The Curved Crusader could not resist one last look at the open spider cage as she hurried from the chamber and ascended the staircase with her burden. The spider cage was completely empty!

Outside, Batgirl fell onto Vixen’s body as Webmaster’s Internet Café erupted in a white hot ball of flame. The call girl moaned and slid from beneath the Curved Crusader.

“Are you all right?” Batgirl weakly asked.

“I think so,” Vixen replied, smiling and climbing to her feet. “Thanks for saving my butt.”

“You’re welcome,” Batgirl said, rising. “Now, you’re under arrest for the murder of Spider-Priestess.”

“You’ll never convict me,” Vixen said. “I didn’t blow that vile place to Kingdom Come.”

“I saw you lock her in that cage and what happened next. You’re guilty as sin and we both know it!”

“She deserved it. Patience perished in exactly the same way she did. You have a problem with her punishment?”

“I told you I would not let you take the law into your own hands. I meant it when I said it and the sentiment still stands. Now, give yourself up or face the consequences.”

“It’s getting late, Batgirl. You won’t catch me, and I, too, have unfinished business of which to take care tonight.” Vixen raised a hand holding a tiny spray bottle. “Nighty night, Batgirl.”

“My Bat-Sleep!” Batgirl said as she involuntarily inhaled the fine mist Vixen released and collapsed. The call girl dropped the bottle and stepped over the Curved Crusader’s body.

Then, she paused, glancing quickly between Batgirl’s helpless, fallen form and the nearby inferno. Vixen remained motionless for a moment, pondering the murderous possibilities until the sound of an approaching siren seemed to dovetail with the deadly schemes turning over in her mind. The call girl shook her head, “Aw, the hell with it,” the brunette muttered. She then vanished into the night as the deadly inferno grew larger.

“Are you all right, Batgirl?” a concerned police officer asked soon thereafter, bending over her. “Is anyone in there?”

“I’ll live,” Batgirl said, standing. “I wish I could say the same for the men in the basement of that building.” She indicated the building burning across the street. “I can’t imagine how they could have survived that holocaust. Unless . . . .”

Batgirl stooped, picking up her Bat-sleep. ‘Vixen is an accomplished pickpocket, as well a killer,’ she thought. ‘Could Spider-Priestess have escaped from that cage and gotten out before the fire started? Her escape seems unlikely . . . unless the spiders . . . .’

Batgirl shook her head, ‘Such an explanation is impossible!’

The heroine took a deep breath and looked around. ‘I wish I knew where to find Charlotte and Silk. Unless I do, they could easily die before dawn.’ Vixen, however, had not left Batgirl a single clue.

For a woman with Vixen’s skills, breaking into Archie Arcane’s apartment was simple. She soon realized his clothes and belongings were gone, but her eyes widened in surprise as she found a complete wardrobe of women’s clothing in her size. She shrugged and poured herself a glass of wine she took into the study to sip as she searched for the safe. ‘I haven’t made a cent out of this little venture. That situation is about to be rectified.’

She opened the safe and grinned at the neatly stacked greenbacks inside. Her face transformed when she found the envelope with her name on it atop the bundled money.

She tore open the envelope and read:

---

Vixen,

I hope the payment you’ve discovered adequately compensates you for the trouble you’ve taken in your efforts to avenge the death of Patience Phillips. I want you to know how much I deeply regret the series of unfortunate decisions, which necessitate the enmity between you and your new brothers and sisters.

I understand your actions, but must bow to the will of the Society. I’ve persuaded my associates the time has come to withdraw temporarily from Gotham City. While I am gone, I hope you’ll take advantage of everything my apartment offers. I’m sure you will be comfortable and hope the memories you and I made will be happy for you. I personally treasure what we have had together.

Good luck until our destinies bring us together again, whatever you decide.

Sincere good wishes,

Archie Arcane

---

Her mind was still racing. ‘If I keep in touch with Archie, I should be able to find the hidden Society members. I will hunt them and destroy the Society in the process. They tried to kill me, and in so doing declared war. The battle will certainly be joined --tomorrow.’ Vixen shrugged and reached for the wine bottle. ‘Finding Webmaster is probably the best first step. In the end, I’ll probably spare Archie.’

Pouring more wine, she carried her glass and the bottle to the bathroom, where she drew herself a bath, pouring in a small quantity of pink, scented liquid.

She froze momentarily, after slipping out of her dress, starring over her shoulder at the mirror. “That’s impossible!”

A small, red tattoo of a spider was clearly visible on the small of her back, and the mystical drawing was bisected by her spinal column, precisely the way Archie Arcane had originally drawn it.

Vixen remained momentarily transfixed by the red, ink drawing bisected by her spine.

“Well, I don’t suppose I can do anything about it now,” she resignedly said. After removing the rest of her clothes, she sank slowly into her steamy bubble bath. “Besides, Archie takes wonderful care of his mistresses.” She could not help smiling as she reached for her wine glass once again.

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