AN: So, here's the sequel to The Dark Knight Legacy. I hope you enjoy it.

-X-

How could he have let this happen?

John Blake was in a hurry and he blasted through the streets of Gotham in his Tumbler, trying desperately to get there on time. He weaved through the traffic, even though people were already getting out of his way, but it still felt way too damn slow. He glanced at the screen that showed a map of Gotham and he saw that he was getting close to the Admiral Docks. Not much further, but it felt like it was taking forever to get there. He just hoped that Jason was okay, even though he was in the hands of a madman and at his mercy. John was cursing himself for being so foolish. Despite the boy's eagerness and determination, he wasn't quite ready, especially for something like this. It was too soon, but the only thing that John could focus on was that he didn't want to be too late and when he saw a chance, he hit the throttle, blasting past cars like a rocket, zooming down the highway.

Yet why did it feel like it was taking so long?

Down at the Admiral Docks in one of the numerous warehouses, there was a sickening crunch of crowbar against flesh, bones being broken from the blow and the young Jason Todd coughed up blood, his head dizzy from the assault and his vision blurry. How long had he laid here in a pool of his own blood, his body threatening to shut down? How much longer would he be able to endure this assault before another blow finished him for good? He laid there, his brand new Robin suit tattered, several armoured plates broken from the viciousness of the attack and he shuddered in agony, waiting for the next blow to land. Where was it going to hit this time, his ribs or his legs? Already he couldn't feel the majority of his body, apart from when he winced from a blow and it jarred all his broken bones.

"You know, I just want you to know that this is nothing personal between you and me," the Joker said, palming the bloodied crowbar as he licked his lips, "You're probably a very nice lad, but you've fallen in with the wrong crowd. What do they teach you kids at school these days?"

"Screw…you…" Jason said weakly, although he said it with as much venom as possible.

"Sorry, but you're not my type. See, what you have to understand is that I'm not the crazy one. No, no, no, no, that would be the Batman who clearly didn't train you properly. I mean, sending a boy out to do a man's job. Even to a guy like me, that's cold. It's like he wants you to die like a good little noble soldier."

He pinched Jason's cheeks with a crazed grin and received a mouthful of blood on his suit.

"Well, that wasn't very nice. Didn't Batman teach you manners? Guess I'll do that for him."

He cackled and slammed the crowbar onto Jason's body once more, eliciting a cry of pain from the teenager and after another two blows, the Joker tossed the crowbar aside with a heavy sigh as if he had been working hard all day.

"Well, it's been fun, but I have other matters to attend to. But don't be too upset if that makes you sound unimportant. You're very important. See, kid, I'm an agent of chaos. Upsetting the establishment. Introducing a little anarchy. In time, you'll understand your importance in it."

Jason just wanted him to stop talking, his head already ringing in pain and the madman's voice was like a jackhammer. The Joker rolled his arms to release some tension and casually made his way towards the exit. After escaping from Arkham Asylum a second time, the Joker learnt about Batman's newest ally and decided to do something about it. After causing a disturbance at a bank in Uptown, the Joker had several of his minions to distract Batman while luring Robin away from the scene and captured him, transporting him to South Hinkley for some 'bonding time' as he had told the young superhero.

"Time to get a head start if I want to avoid the Batman," the Joker said, "Wouldn't want to miss the fireworks. Oh you'll see, they'll be great. If you're still alive by then. Remember, whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stranger."

With that madman laugh of his, the Joker waved to the broken teenager and left the warehouse. Jason groaned in pain and after learning that he could move his arms, he started to pull himself towards the exit. Inch by agonising inch, Jason moved closer to the door, his body threatening to give out and more than once he contemplated just giving up and give in, but then he remembered how he had survived on the harsh streets as a child and decided that he wasn't going to let a madman get the better of him. With renewed determination, Jason pulled himself towards the door. But just as he reached it, he found that he didn't have the strength to reach up and open the door. It was just as well, considering that the Joker had locked it. The madman stood on the jetty, watching the Tumbler pull up at the docks and he withdrew a detonator from his pocket, then imitated the sound of an exploding bomb while pressing the button. Batman hit the ground when the warehouse burst into flames, illuminating the night sky and his heart dropped in his chest.

"Jason. No!"

He raced towards the burning wreckage, finding the body of his ward slump outside, having been thrown from the warehouse due to the explosion. Seeing the way he was crumpled, Batman knew he had several broken bones and quickly checked for a pulse, hoping that he wasn't too late. Relief soared through him when he found one and knowing he didn't have much time, carefully scooped up Jason's broken form and hurried back to the Tumbler.

"Nnn….John?" Jason asked weakly, cracking open one bloodshot eye.

"Hold on, Jason, you're going to be okay," John said as he raced back out onto the road, "You're going to be okay. I'm gonna get you help."

He didn't know who he was trying to reassure with that comment, but just prayed he could save Jason's life. Reaching the hospital in record time, Batman carried Robin's broken form inside, hoping there was someone at the desk.

"I need help!" Batman shouted, "Someone, help!"

"What happened?" a nurse asked as she rushed to his side.

"Can you help him?" Batman asked.

She shouted out an order and Robin was placed on a gurney, being taken away by a staff of doctors and Batman followed after them, so focused on Jason that he didn't hear the doctor's initial diagnosis. So focused on the teenager that he didn't realised he was about to walk into surgery until a nurse stopped him.

"I'm sorry, Batman, but you'll have to wait outside."

Despair cut through John as he waited outside, staring through the window as doctors surrounded Jason, obscuring him from sight as they worked to save his life. John paced the hallway, wracked with emotions, desperate to help but unable to do anything. He was blaming himself for putting Jason in this position, for being unable to save him from the Joker on time. Seconds wore on agonisingly slow and John sat on one of the waiting chairs, feeling helpless while his ward struggled to fight for his life. This shouldn't have happened; John kept telling himself, wishing he could turn back time and do things differently.

After what seemed like hours, John saw Doctor Leslie Thompkins approaching him and he jumped to his feet, hoping for good news, but from the look on her face, it was anything but.

"How is…" John was afraid to ask.

Leslie shook her head, "I'm sorry; Batman, but we couldn't save his life. He died saying your name. I am sorry for your loss."

Tears fell from John's eyes and he collapsed in the chair, emotions wracking him. His protégé was dead and it was because he had put him in the path of a madman. Leslie didn't know what else to say to comfort the superhero, so she left him be, as John buried his head into his hands, letting his sorrow take over. He had failed Jason and now he was dead.

"Well, that was interesting."

John looked up sharply at the voice and sure enough, the Joker was standing there, a smug grin on his face. White hot rage filled John's veins, burning out the sorrow and he rose to his feet, his fists clenched.

"I gotta tell you, I thought the whelp had more in him," the Joker continued, "I guess he wasn't as strong as I thought. Too bad."

Batman's fist smashed into his face, fuelled by rage and the Joker fell to the ground with a cackling laugh. Hauling the Joker to his feet, Batman threw him against the wall, then buried his fist into the madman's stomach, who tried laughing despite the air being knocked right out of him and Batman struck him again, drawing blood. The Joker wheezed as he was slung to the ground and Batman's boot connected with his ribs, breaking at least two.

"Come on, do it!" the Joker cackled, "Let's see you do it!"

Batman's mind was filled with rage and he wanted nothing more than to beat the Joker into a pulp, something that he proceeded to do, the Joker's blood splattered across the floor, as security guards came rushing in to stop the assault, but Batman smacked them aside, the image of the dying Jason in his mind and he renewed his attack. The Joker continued laughing, despite his own blood covering his face and Batman slammed him against the wall, his hands curling around the madman's throat and he started to squeeze tightly.

"I'm going to kill you," John growled.

"Could you hurry it up before I pass out?" the Joker asked.

More guards arrived on the scene, three of them pulling Batman away from the Joker, struggling to hold him at bay as the Joker collapsed to the ground, still laughing madly even as he faded away into unconsciousness, knowing that he had won this round.

-X-