A second chance at Life means a second chance at Death.
I do not own batman
Part one: A second chance at death.
Jason always wondered why he was alive. He didn't mean his birth no he meant why did death rejected him? Why didn't it stick? It was not like with Damian, he was brought back by his family. Jason waked up in his coffin. Alone. No one knew. No one had asked for it. Definitely not Jason. But no one had asked him. Death hadn't and neither had Life. But he had to claw his way out of his coffin anyway. None of his wounds seemed to have healed. He got hit by a car, sent to a hospital but no one recognized him. He roamed the streets for a while before someone did recognise him and Talia got him. Another year later she threw him in the Lazarus pit and send him training and on his path of revenge. She looked afraid when Jason woke up in the pit. Was she afraid of what she had done or what he had become? He still doesn't know. Ra said he was a curse, that Talia released a curse upon this world. That might have been true. He did terrorize Gotham for a while. But over time he had gotten less angry..les crazy and he started mending his relationship with his 'family.' That started with Tim of all people. Tim reached out to him. Because he started working with the batfamily again he found himself in the current situation.
The Joker broke out of Arkham again.
Big surprise! If you just killed him...but batman won't and Jason decided that his relationship with his family is more important.
Batman and Robin were busy fighting The Riddler. The Joker and the Riddler were playing a 'game'. They both planted bombs all over Gotham and made riddles that told where they are. The one who made the most victims would be the winner. Nigthwing, Signal, Orphan and Spoiler were busy dismantling the bombs together with the birds of Prey. Batgirl together with Alfred was overseeing the comms and giving advice. That leaves Jason aka the Red Hood and Tim Drake, Red Robin with fighting and defeating the Joker.
Which is a very bad choice. He would much rather be fighting the riddler. He would feels less inclined to kill the Riddler.
The Joker was at an abandoned warehouse.
Great. Not like he died in one or something.
Red Hood, Red Robin and the Joker are standing on a bridge of steal that hangs above the ground of the warehouse. A fall from it would result in death. Somewhere there is also a bomb hidden which is about to explode. You might ask why they haven't dismantled it but the thing is the Joker is in the way and on the way here they had to fight Harley and a lot of goons. A lot. Harley destroyed his helmet and the goons got a few good hits. His legs hurts. They didn't come here unhurt and when they arrived at the warehouse they only got hurt more. Red Robin had hurt his ankle and couldn't get away on time and the Joker took this chance to shoot at him. Red Hood pushed Tim out of the way and got shot instead. It pierced through his armour through his stomach. He fell on the ground.
''Hood!'' Red Robin screams from his place on the bridge. Joker takes this chance and gets a hold of Red Robin and points a gun to his head. He slowly takes him closer to the edge of the bridge.
''Now now this is where the fun really starts!'' The joker announces and the Red Hood lifts up his head and takes his gun and aims it at the Joker. But the Joker has positioned Red Robin in such a way that he will hit him instead of the Joker if he takes an not lethal shot. The Joker smiles.
''You have to chose now. Either kill me or have me kill this birdie right here Haha. Feels familiar right? And as far as I know you don't have a batarang on you.''
Jason aims his gun at Joker's head but it is shaking.
What is he waiting for? He has to kill the Joker or else Tim will die. Why is he shaking? Is he hesitating? He wanted to kill this f*cker for so long. He still wants to. He deserves death. So why can he not do it. Just pull the trigger. He has been here before. This is the third time! He couldn't do it the first time because Bruce wasn't there. The second time he was stopped by Bruce. But now there is no one to stop him ... so why?
The laughing of the Joker goes on and on and Jason suddenly finds himself in a different warehouse with the same laughter, the smell of a cigarette and the feeling of a crowbar against his skin. He is frozen.
''Hood!''
Tim's voice brings him back to reality but he is sweating and breathing heavily and it is hard to keep his is eyes open. But that could also be because of the blood loss. The gun in his hand feels as heavy as it has never been before. He is still shaking and he is not certain that if he shoots that he shoots the Joker and not Tim.
''Shush.'' The Joker says as he turns his attention from Jason to Tim. ''I am talking to him right now. You need to stay quiet.''
Tim uses this moment to silently shift his leg and Jason shoots the joker immediately multiple times in the leg. The Joker staggers since his leg can't support him fully anymore and Tim uses all the strength he has left to push the Joker's arm up and get out of his hold. The joker looks angry and steps towards Tim with his other leg ignoring his hurt leg and aims the gun at Tim but he slips because of the pool of blood that gathered beneath him because of his hurt leg and Tim's wounds. The joker slips and falls backwards over the very low railing of the bridge and he falls down to his death. Yet he still laughed.
After a few death silent seconds Red Robin tears his gaze away from the place Joker just fell down from and stumbles to Jason. Jason who is still staring at the place Joker stood a few seconds ago.
Is he really death? That cannot be. Just like that? It must be a joke.
''Jason! Jason snap out of it!''
Slowly Jason blinks and focuses on the sound he is hearing. It is Tim. He has taken off his Domino mask and has tears in his eyes. He has taken a hold of Jason's face with both hands.
''Jay...''
''Tim...'' Jason grits out. He tries to sit up but everything hurts. He then looks down at his stomach.
That doesn't look good.
''W- -av- - go!''
Jason is aware that Tim is telling him something but he cannot really focus on it.
''We have to go Jason, stay awake! There is a bomb somewhere here.''
Jason is analysing their situation. He is hurt. Very hurt. He is bleeding from his stomach and in a few minutes he will bleed out. His shoulder hurts and he is pretty sure his right leg is broken from fighting the goons and Harley. Why does he feel that only now? Must have something to do with the adrenalin leaving his body. He then takes in Tim. It seems his left arm is broken and he knows his ankle is hurt. But he doesn't know any other injures he must have gotten. Jason can see black spots appearing in his vision.
That is not good.
''Tim...Tim you have to go.'' Jason whispers.
''What?'' Tim reacts shocked. ''I am not leaving you here!''
''You do not have a choice! You cannot carry me. Not with those injuries and I cannot leave on my own.''
''You don't know that. I can try.''
''Even if you could..'' Jason begins as he eyes the exits of the warehouse. ''We would never make it both out in time before the bomb explodes.''
Tim is outright crying now and Jason himself also feels tears leaving his eyes.
''We could call for help.'' Tim tries.
''They will never be here on time.''
Weird, normally Tim is the logical one. Everything is getting fuzzy.
''You have to go or you will die. It is too late for me.'' Jason pleads.
''No! No... Please don't say that.'' Tim begs. ''I am not leaving you alone. I will stay with you.''
''No.''
''I won't let you die alone in a warehouse again.'' Tim insists.
''I do not want you to die Tim! You need to save yourself.''
''I don't want you to die Jason! Let me save you!''
''Goddamit Tim! You are losing time just leave me!''
''I won't abandon you!''
''Don't you get it?'' Jason says as he looks into Tim's blue eyes. ''You have to live. Even if I'm death at least you will be alive. My death, this time has meaning. So you will be doing me a huge favour by leaving.''
''Jason...''
''No Tim you have to listen to me. I am so sorry for hurting you. For taking my anger out on you and attacking you. I am sorry for attacking the family and giving everyone so much grief. ''
''I already forgave you.'' Tim says and Jason smiles.
''You are too good for this world Tim Drake.''
''So are you.'' Tim returns and Jason laughs.
''The others have already forgiven you too even if you do not believe it. They will be devastated if you die again. They won't survive it this time.''
''No they will. They have you and just like last time you will make sure they don't destroy themselves won't you...for me?'' Jason asks as he uses his hand to touch Tim's face.
''That...Jay.''
''It is my time Tim. The Joker is finally death. The reason why I am alive was to correct the mistake of the Joker being alive. It must have been. That is why now that he is death I can finally go too. I am sure this better anyways. Now Batman's greatest mistake and failure will finally be gone again.''
Tim just gives him a look like he wants to scold him. ''You know that is not true he loves you. They all love you. Goddamit Jay I love you I do not want to lose you.''
''I love you too.'' He says as he puts his hand on the back of Tim's head and slowly pushes Tim closer towards him.
''You are my little brother so why won't you let me play the role of big brother this one time?'' He asks as he hugs him. He feels Tim hugging him back.
''Do me a favour. My will is hidden in my safehouse, you know the one. Make sure you read my will and follow it. Makes sure the others follow it too okay? I do not want to be buried ever again.''
He can feels Tim hiccupping and he rubs his back.
''Tell Alfie and Bruce that I am sorry I died again, Tell them I am sorry for taking the Joker on on my own last time.''
''Jason...''
''Ssh..I am not done yet. Tell them I want to thank them for everything they have done for me...Tell them I love them and tell them goodbye for me okay?''
Tim sniffs and they slowly break the hug and look each other into the eyes again. Jason hands Tim his domino mask he had discarded on the ground.
''Promise me you will do that?''
Tim slowly takes the mask and puts it on.
''I don't want to leave you.''
''I know you don't but you have to. For me. Promise me you won't blame yourself or let anyone else blame themselves okay? Keep an eye on the family for me Tim. ''
Tim nods slowly. ''Don't you fear death?''
''No I fear life I was never supposed to live a second time Timmy. This might be the universe fixing the mistake it made by reviving me.''
''You're not a mistake Jay.'' Tim says as he stand up. ''You sure about this?''
Jason nods. ''I am sure and I do not want to see you soon in death all right? I want you to live your life for a very long time. Get married, get kids, those things.'' Jason jokes.
''I don't know about that one Red.'' Tim gives a small smile.
''Now go.'' Jason says and a reculant Tim does so. Jason's vision slowly goes black as he can finally see Tim stumbling out of the warehouse to safety.
Good.
I hope death sticks this time.
Author's note
I have had this idea for a while now. Ever since I had a dream about it. I might not have turned out as good as I hoped it would be. I am not that great at giving detailed descriptions off things. But I hope you enjoyed it and reviews are very appreciated. The characters might seem ooc or things might seem unrealistic like the Joker dying and Tim and Jason getting very hurt. But Plot demanded it so...
Also does anyone know if Bruce and the others are aware that Jason wasn't revived by the pit but by something else?
Well anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next chapter because this story consists of two parts. Honestly this part was supposed to be shorter but it became much longer than anticipated. Next chapter will be shorter.
I also notices I used their names and their hero's names jumbled oh well...