Chapter Fifteen

Dick pushed the gas pedal as far down to the floor as it would go. He pushed the Tumbler to its limits as he sped over the highway. The T Car flew alongside him; both cars zipped past oncoming traffic as they made their way across the Robert Kane Memorial Bridge.

He had a feeling he knew where Joker was. The County Fair was held every year at Amusement Mile. He used to go a lot when he lived there and he knew the place well.

Tires squealed as he careened sharply around a corner. They skidded through alleys and back streets he was looking for Amusement Mile. He knew he was close but he couldn't find the entrance.

Then, they spotted it; he saw the big banner advertising with the words GOTHAM COUNTY FAIR written on it. He brought the Tumbler to a screeching halt and opened the cockpit-like entrance. Leaping out, he landed on his feet and waited for the others to join him.

Cyborg jumped out, followed quickly by the others, they looked at him. "Where to first?"

"We need to find out where he is. Let me call Babs," he dialed the number. She answered. "Where is he?"

"His stall is right near the funhouse! I've tried to warn others. People are running away in panic. Hurry Dick, I'm too afraid to move…I've never seen anything this bad before…I—I just don't have any strength in me to do anything."

"Where's Tim?" Dick demanded.

"I tried to call him, his phone's turned off. He must be at school," Babs said shakily. "I—I couldn't contact him so I called you, but I couldn't do anything except warn everyone…and when they heard me, they turned and ran. People got trampled…it was just as bad as the poisoned Cotton Candy."

"We're coming, Babs." Dick quickly located Babs near the funhouse. Dick had never seen her so shaken before. She was pale and had such a traumatized look on her face immediately knew she had seen things that were horrific beyond description.

"Babs, what'd he do to them?" Dick asked, pulling his sobbing friend into a comforting embrace.

"Go and see for yourself Dick, we both failed…just look and see what happened."

He gently set her down and the others followed him out of the tent where she was hiding. He walked a few steps before he broke into a run. He saw the cotton candy stand with the sign FREE COTTON CANDY written in big red letters.

The irony, he thought. The sign was red as the blood of Joker's victims. He looked across the parking lot and before him lay a sight only imagined in his darkest nightmares. 16 children of various ages were scattered throughout the area, their pain filled faces showed their agony as their lives were cruelly taken from them. Their bloated bodies lay on the ground, like rotting corpses left on a battlefield.

"What in the name of Azar did he do to them?"

"It was the Cotton Candy," Cyborg explained. "He mixed it with mercury salt. It shuts down the liver. It's painful."

"By X'hal…" Starfire breathed. She had heard of the atrocities Joker had committed in the past. Robin never talked about his time in Gotham City but she had watched the news enough to hear of the Joker's exploits, but she had never seen them first hand.

She put a hand to her mouth it horror. She thought Slade's plan to use Robin as his apprentice was diabolical, and that Trigon's intentions to use his daughter to destroy the world was pure evil, but this…this was too repulsive for her to look at. Slade and Trigon both had a motives, Joker had none; he did this for pure sadistic pleasure. She felt the tears slide down her face.

Starfire looked to the others. Raven was barely in control of her emotions. She could see her friend was simmering with Rage bubbling beneath the surface of her calm exterior. Beast Boy was open mouthed with shock and Cyborg had a grim look on his face.

"Dick…" she whispered.

"No, wait, I hear something." She became silent and listened. Then she heard it, a faint noise, like breathing, only constricted and labored.

"A survivor?"

"I don't know Kory, not many survive Joker's attacks. Rachel Dawes was one of the lucky ones."

He began walking through the bodies, looking for the source of the sound. He stopped in front of a six-year-old boy. He had been one of the unfortunate ones who had eaten the deadly combination of mercury and sugar candy. Dick deduced that he hadn't eaten enough of it to instantly shut down his liver, but had consumed enough for it to take effect.

Dick knelt down and scooped the boy up in his arms. "Batman," the boy whispered. "I knew you'd come…"

"I've got to get you to a hospital."

"It hurts Batman…it really hurts," he sobbed.

"You're going to be okay, I'm going to get you out of here."

"Mr. Batman, what's Heaven like?" he asked.

"I don't know. How could I know when I live down here in Hell?" Dick whispered; but aloud, he said. "I'm sure it's a wonderful place…"

"What is it like?"

"It's…it's a place where there is no pain, or sadness, or crying. The streets are paved with gold, and there is no night there."

"Will I see my mommy there?"

"I'm sure you will," he replied. He didn't want to think about Heaven. How could he when he needed to save a life? Dick tried to remain focused. He had to get this boy to a hospital.

"You're my favorite superhero," the little boy said in a barely audible whisper.

"I'm no hero kid, I'm just like you," he replied. "I have to get you out of here!"

Unexpectedly, watched in horror as the boy's body began to convulse and writhe in agony. He was trying to breathe, but all Dick could hear was gurgling and gasps. He knew what was happening. Mercury salt was poisonous and could shut down both livers if the body was exposed to high doses of it.

"No, no, no, NO!" he shouted. "Stay with me! Come on, kid!" Dick attempted to resuscitate him.

"Raven, can't you do something?" he pleaded with his empathic teammate. The look she gave him was one of agonized helplessness. She knew no matter what she did, it would do no good.

"No, I can heal wounds, but I can't stop death…I came too late. We're too late, there's nothing we can do for him now."

"Dude," Beast Boy said in a broken, cracked voice. "He's gone!"

"No! DON'T SAY THAT TO ME! He's not gone! I can save him!"

"Dick, there is nothing you can do—" Starfire whispered.

"I WON'T LOSE HIM! First my parents, then Jason, and now these people! How am I supposed to be a hero if I can't save anyone?" he roared in anguish. "Don't tell me I can't save him…don't tell me…I can't…" he let his voice trail off. He broke down into quiet sobs. Starfire watched as his shoulders spasm as he wept.

Starfire gently placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Babs had come out of the tent and was sobbing behind them. Just when their moment of despair was greatest, a fiendish laugh broke out from the funhouse. "Babs, go home, it's not safe for you here." She did as she was told and began running towards her car. He watched her go, at least she was safe. Now he had other things to deal with.

"Aw, what's the matter Batsy, feeling guilty because you couldn't play the hero?" Joker taunted. "It's too bad, you should have seen their faces when they first ate the stuff. Didn't know people were stupid enough to take things from the Joker."

Dick's body became rigid. He looked up and stared at the Joker, his eyes burned with an intense hatred that only the Joker could see. He hated him more than he hated anything or anyone, even more than Tony Zucco, the man who had murdered his parents. He could feel nothing, except a blinding rage, that filled up every fiber of his being.

"And now, Batsy, since you're just standing there…" he pulled out a .22 caliber handgun and fired it at his head.

"Titans, move!" he ordered as they all forced themselves to move out of the way. Cyborg looked at Batman. He nodded. Together they ran, leaping over the fallen and making their way into the funhouse. Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire made their way inside with them. The Titans began to run through the large maze of mirrors, trying to find the Joker.

Batman cautiously made his way down the reflected hallways of the maze. He looked around carefully, trying to spot the Joker. He jumped back just in time to avoid a bullet, watched as it connected with the mirror, shattering the glass. He looked at his contorted reflection for a moment before moving on.

"Through the looking glass, Batsy, up is down, black is white, and you're out of luck!" Joker shouted. Batman followed his disembodied voice, motioning for the others to be as quiet as possible. Starfire flew overhead, looking for the insane criminal. Someone fired a gun and a loud bang was heard through the room.

"Everyone down!" Batman ordered. Everyone dropped on their hands and knees quicker than he could say knife. Starfire watched as a small capsule released strands of rope, wrapping themselves around Starfire's arms, pinning them against her sides. Struggling for a moment, she broke her bonds and continued moving towards the Joker who stood at the other end of the room.

They rose to their feet and began running towards him. Cyborg fired off a series of blasts from his Sonic Cannon. Joker dodged out of the way as Harley Quinn fired a revolver at them. Raven shot out an energy shield and the bullets bounced off harmlessly, hitting the floor with a soft clink. The rest charged forward when the energy dissipated.

Batman advanced on the Joker, he let his reflexes take control as the Joker fired a round from his handgun. Bullets few past him as he somersaulted to avoid it; his polymerized titanium cloak stopped the bullets as he sprinted forward. His fist connected with Joker's face as he dropped the gun in surprise. Dick felt a satisfied look cross his face, he wanted Joker to suffer just like he made all those people suffer, and no amount of pain he could cause Joker could compare to that of his victims.

He struck Joker again and again. He smashed his fist into him feeling his rage motivate him as he began to pour out his anger on his greatest foe. His frenzy blinded him to everything else that was happening around him, including Harley Quinn as she aimed her gun at his head. Starfire moved faster than the eye could see.

Starfire smashed into Harley Quinn, sending her sprawling onto the floor. She squealed as she hit the ground and scrambled for the gun. Starfire moved to prevent her from retrieving it. She managed to grab it and fire a series of shots at Starfire. She managed to dodge two and use her Starbolts to disintegrate the others. Starbolts hit Harley as she flew further back into the maze.

Starfire rushed after her. Cyborg shot off another round and Harley who was surprisingly nimble, dodged out of the way, "Too bad, Red," she mocked. "You can't get me."

"Yes, I can!" Starfire replied. "And I will!"

She grabbed Harley and slammed her back into one of the mirrors. Starfire grabbed her and knocked her unconscious. She looked over as Raven and Beast Boy ran over to the Joker. They watched as Joker suddenly pushed Batman off him with his feet, and sent him across the room. He leapt up and grabbed his gun and prepared to fire on Batman. He moved quickly to avoid it, and felt the burning metal zip pass his ear. He tried to move faster but every second seemed like an hour as he tried to dodge the bullets. He felt one hit his shoulder and breathed a sight of relief knowing that the Kevlar bi-weave held strong against it.

Batman smashed his fist into Joker's stomach and slammed a knee into his ribs. Joker gagged but managed a quick strike to his head. Joker hauled Dick up by his shirt and threw him across the room.

Joker executed a spin kick as Batman grabbed his foot and hurled him into a mirror. He rose to his feet with a confused expression on his face and charged forward. He punched out again, but Batman countered with a block and head butted him and smashed an elbow into his chest.

Batman struck Joker's stomach with his knee; grasping his wrist he threw him to the floor. He delivered a viscous kick to his face and punched him hard. A viscous kick to the head sent Joker reeling back.

Joker spat blood in his face as his grotesque smile slipped further up his face. "I expected a lot more than this from you, Batsy. Honestly, I'm disappointed." He staggered to his feet. He whipped out three playing cards and threw them with expert aim at him. Batman managed to avoid the razor sharp objects as he used a Bat-a-Rang to slice them in two.

Batman looked up in horror as a woman holding a small baby suddenly turned around the corner. Recognizing the Clown Prince of Crime, she turned to flee. The Joker leapt forward and grabbed her by her shirt and placed the gun against her chin.

"What are you going to do now, Batsy?" he asked tauntingly. "I have another hostage. Do you want to watch as another one of your precious citizens whom you work so hard to defend dies?"

"P—Please don't hurt me, I haven't done anything to you!" the woman pleaded.

"Well, little lady, that's what makes it so funny! Then again, you're right lady, I won't hurt you, I'll kill the little baby! HAA HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAAA HAHAHAHAA HOOO HOOO HAA HA HAAAA!"

"No, no, PLEASE!" she begged.

"Let the woman go, or so help me God, I will make you pay!" Batman vowed.

"Oh, yeah, Batsy, how are you going to do that—?" he asked as Beast Boy suddenly barreled into him as bull. He screamed as he hit the floor. Beast Boy morphed into a gorilla and brought his fist smashing down on the gun, smashing it to pieces. Joker looked at him and smirked. He was about to turn and run.

laughing, he said, "So long Batsy! It was nice knowing you." He turned around to run straight into Cyborg. He gave Joker a hard punch that sent the pistol flying from his hands. He grabbed his wrist and twisted it around his back. He groaned in pain as Cyborg pinned him against the wall. He suddenly kicked back knocking him backwards. Beast Boy morphed into a rhino and barreled into him, knocking him over.

Raven grabbed him with her powers and pinned him there. "You ain't goin' anywhere Joker," Cyborg said. "You're gonna stay right here where you belong."

"And that's in Arkham Asylum," Batman finished as he walked over to them. "Looks like the joke's on you this time!"

"Never underestimate me, Batsy!"

"I never have." Dick slammed his foot into Joker's stomach, executing a quick kick he struck him hard, he struck again hitting Joker with his gauntlet. He somersaulted over him and executed a spin kick, each blow connected his enemy and kept him off balance.

Batman bent down and removed something from his shoe. He activated the RF transponder and the Titans along with the Joker looked around, they all thought they heard a strange noise. Suddenly, a large swarm of bats descended on the Joker. He screamed in terror and tried to swat them away. The creatures continued to swarm him as he tried to fight them off. Batman made a running leap and kicked him, his heels slammed into his head, he hit the ground unconscious.

The Police suddenly burst into the room, Captain Yin was leading them; she nodded at the Batman. "You finally caught him, thank God. Let's get him back to Arkham." The officers woke him and cuffed him and Harley Quinn.

He took one last look at Batman. "You know they can't convict me, Batsy. I'm criminally insane and they won't give me the death penalty. This is one fight you'll never win and you know it! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA HA HA HA HA HAHA HAAAA!"

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" he asked gently.

"Y-yes," she replied shakily. "I think I'm okay. What about my little girl? Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine, Ma'am," he assured her. "The Joker didn't hurt her," he said, handing the baby back to her.

"Oh, Carrie, Carrie!" she sobbed softly, cradling the baby. "Thank you, Batman! Thank you!"

"You're very welcome, Mrs.-"

"Kelly," she replied.

Batman noticed little Carrie wore a funny pair of green sunglasses. "What's with the green glasses?" he asked.

"I don't know, I guess she likes them," Mrs. Kelly smiled for the first time since her ordeal. "I'll never forget you, Batman," she whispered gratefully.

"Mrs. Kelly, you go home. Get some rest. You've had a very traumatic experience. You won't have to worry about the Joker. I'll have him locked up in Arkham Asylum for a long, long time."

She turned and walked away from him, she sobbed softly as she made her way home. She would never forget the Batman as long as she lived, she would tell Carrie Kelly stories about how he saved her life. She would keep the legend alive, even if everyone else forgot him.

Batman turned away from her and walked back to the Titans. Starfire noticed his fists were clinched and he said nothing to them as they drove back to the Batcave.

"Dude, do you want something to eat?" Gar asked.

"No, Gar, I'm not hungry, but you can go get something to eat if you want to."

"Let us know if you want anything."

"I'm going upstairs too," Victor said. "Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"Yes, just go and leave me alone."

"I'll be with them if you need me," Raven said, she turned and followed her friends upstairs. Kory looked back at them. She wondered if she should follow them. After all, he did want to be alone. She decided against her better judgment to stay. She knew something was bothering him, and she wanted to help him get through it. Maybe if she got him to talk about what they had seen, maybe it would help him deal with what he was going through.

She wondered what was going through his mind, she knew she would have plenty of nightmares because of the things she had seen that day. She worried about him though. She knew this sight, as horrific as it was, was something he had experienced too often. She understood why Dick never talked about his time in Gotham City; some of it was too traumatic to bring up, recalling events like this brought up unwanted memories and feelings.

The others went upstairs, she watched them go, she wanted to talk to Dick. She wanted to know how he was. He stood off in a lonely corner of the cave, she moved over to him. "Dick, what is wrong?"

"Kory, please; don't talk to me. Not now. I'm not ready."

"Why? Why do you not wish to talk about what happened?"

"It's too much for me, Kory. I saw the horrified look on your face when you first saw what he did to those children. There was nothing I could do to stop him…nothing I could do to save them. I promised Bruce I'd take up his mantle. I swore to myself I wouldn't fail him. Now I have, I let those children die! I didn't get their fast enough. I should have captured him when I had the chance! I should have captured him when he attacked Rachel Dawes! I—"

"You do only as much as one man can do, more than anyone is expected to do," Kory whispered. "We all fall Dick, even I fail. I do not know what you are feeling, but what I saw today will remain in the worst of my nightmares. Now I understand why rage drives you the way it does, but you do not need to blame yourself for what happened. It was him and him alone, do you understand?"

"I understand that, it's just—I don't feel it."

"Dick?" Kory asked.

"What?" he whispered.

"Who is Jason?"

"Jason Todd was my brother."

"I did not know you had a brother."

"He's not my biological brother, he's my adopted brother. Bruce Wayne adopted him when I left for Jump City. He became Batman's second Robin. He was very good at it. He was…a lot like me. Strong willed and determined. He made Bruce proud in ways that I don't think I ever could."

"Do not say that, of course Bruce is proud of you, why else would he request that you come back here and become Batman?"

"Well, one reason I tried to hard to prevent Joker from killing those people is because of what he did to Jason."

"What did he do to Jason?"

"Joker…Killed Him…"

"No wonder you were angry at the Mile of Amusement! But I do not understand, what happened to him?"

"Jason did some research about the true identity of his mother. Turns out, she wasn't dead as he had first thought, but she was alive and she was a nurse working in Iran, caring for the sick. He goes with Bruce to find her and they discover that the Joker has been blackmailing her. Batman ordered Jason to stay away from the Joker.

He refused and the Joker beat him half to death with a crowbar and tied his mother up in a warehouse and rigged a bomb to explode after he left."

Kory gasped in horror. "Was the Joker ever put on trial for this crime?"

"No, he had diplomatic immunity because he became the ambassador for the country of Iran. He could never be brought to trial for Jason's Death. As a result, he as never avenged, no justice given for him, and it has haunted everyone in the Bat Family ever since, especially Bruce."

"Dick, I am so sorry," she pulled him into a hug. He rested his head against her shoulder. He felt a little embarrassed but he didn't care. With his leg extensions he was six-foot-two, an inch taller than she was, without them she was three inches taller than him. "Why do you care so much?" he asked.

"You know why, Dick," she whispered.

"Yes, I do, but mere words won't take away my pain or my guilt. I failed to save those people, and that will be with me for the rest of my life."

"Yes, time heals all wounds, the people on Earth say. I just hope that is true."

"You're not the only one," he replied, kissing her cheek softly.

He gently embraced her, trailing burning kisses across her cheeks, murmuring her name quietly. "I love you."

"I know." She felt him run his fingers through her hair. She pulled him into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"What about the others?" he asked. "They could walk in on us."

"Does it matter? She asked. "We will not do anything further than this, correct?"

"No, if we did, we would probably regret it. I'm willing to wait for you. Besides, I'm not even of legal age…to do those kinds of things. I wouldn't want to get myself in legal trouble."

"I suppose we should go find the others—"

The Batwave went off and the large screen began to glow. "Batman, it's Captain Yin. We've found Bane's hiding place. It's in the Narrows. Where Scarecrow used to hide his toxin when he was smuggling drugs for Ra's Al Ghul. I'm sending you the coordinates."

"Thank you Captain," he replied. "I'll call the others, we're on our way."