Author's Note: I was listening to 'I Will Not Bow' by Breaking Benjamin, and Jason popped into my head, and this just kinda got written. I actually have no idea how long it was between Jason's death and his appearance as Red Hood, so for this fic, we'll just pretend it was about 5 years.

Disclaimer: I don't own Batman, Joker, Red Hood(as much as I'd love to), or Batman: Under The Red Hood. Obviously.


Jason knew that last blow had knocked out a few teeth, but he kept his mouth shut, refusing to give the Joker the satisfaction of hearing his pain.

He knew Bruce wouldn't make it in time, knew that he wasn't going to make it out alive this time. This time, the Joker would win.

But that didn't mean Jason was going to let him have fun with it.

All is lost again~ But I'm not giving in~

The Joker had finally been satisfied with his work, and started the bomb's countdown before leaving the warehouse with a cruel: "Tell the big man I said, 'Hello'..."

I will not bow~ I will not break~ I will shut the world away~

Jason made his way to the door, tripping, stumbling, and landing on his face before he got there. He leaned against the cold metal and looked at the timer.

-10 seconds-

He closed his eyes, leaning his head back and letting consciousness leave him. At least he wouldn't have to feel it.

"I'll be back..."

-5 seconds-

I will not fall~ I will not fade~ I will take your breath away~

Bruce was closing in, only a few yards left, heart pounding, chest heaving, and one thought in his mind: Please be alive, Jason.

And then it exploded.

Bruce sucked under his cape, metal falling around him. He looked up and dashed through the debris, yelling the boy's name frantically.

As he shoved pieces away, he knew his calls were futile, he knew what he would find. He lifted the body into his arms, filled with guilt and horror.

And I'll survive~ Paranoid~ I have lost the will to change~

-5 years later-

Jason cursed and dropped The Joker, clutching his damaged hand. He glared up at Bruce. He wasn't proud of what he'd become, or what he was doing, but Jason wasn't willing to end it just yet. He had to know what was more important: Batman's morals or Bruce's son.

I am not proud~ Cold-blooded fake~ I will shut the world away~

Bruce's eyes widened as he heard the bomb start up. Before he could disable or destroy it, he was pinned by Joker, who was rattling off something about 'getting what he wanted'. The only thing on Bruce's mind was getting Jason out. He couldn't fail him again.

He threw the madman off of him and yanked his son up by the good wrist, busting through the 15-story window just as the apartment exploded.

Open your eyes~

Bruce blinked, vision slightly blurred. He heard a familiar cackle, but this one was more twisted than the ones that were typically heard from Dick around the manor. After a moment, he recognized it to be Joker's and turned his head. The sight he was met with made him sick.

The psychopath who'd killed his son all those years ago was half pinned under a slab of concrete, cackling at a large pool of blood slowly seeping from under a much larger slab.

Bruce's heart shattered and his stomach twisted violently.

"No..."


A/N: I'M SORRY JASON I LOVE YOU T^T

Please read/review, feedback is much loved and appreciated, criticisms are encouraged, and flames will be used to fuel to fireplaces at Wayne Manor.

Thank you~