Before I resume this story, I would like to give a special thanks to AFY2018 for betaing this story.
Chapter Two
Barbara looked down in worry as Dick lay on the medical bed, sweat dripping down his face and long hair as the poison from Copperhead's bite took effect.
"You're okay, Dick," she assured him, holding his hand. "Take it easy, everything will be okay."
"Is Dick going to be all right?" Tim asked, looking hopeful. "He has to be, right?"
"I wish I knew," Bruce answered. "This appears to be a different type of poison that Copperhead used this time."
"His temperature is spiking!" Dr. Leslie informed them. "Help me strap him down so he doesn't hurt himself!"
Barbara looked on in horror as Bruce helped the doctor hold Dick down as they strapped him down.
She glanced around. "We need ice to bring down his temperature."
"On it!" Tim nodded as he rushed out of the scene.
"And then what?" Barbara asked, looking down worriedly at Dick panicked. What kind of poison was this affecting him? Certainly not one of a copperhead snake.
About a minute later, Tim and Alfred arrived with the ice. Dr. Leslie surrounded Dick's head with it to get his temperature down with help from Bruce.
Barbara looked worriedly for what seemed to be an eternity when in reality, it was two minutes before someone gave some updates.
"His temperature's down," Dr. Leslie announced before getting on the computer. "He's stable for the moment. Now we need to figure out what poison is in Mr. Grayson's system."
"I've been bitten by Copperhead before and I was able to get anti-venom for it," Bruce said. "This appears to be different."
"Still, we should get some anti-venom in his system," Tim suggested.
"Exactly what we are about to do," Dr. Leslie replied as she injected something into Dick's arm. "As for the venom, Bruce is right. The one in Mr. Grayson's system appears to be from Africa. More specifically, from a Black Mamba."
Barbara went pale at the announcement. She was aware of the fact that it was one of the deadliest animals in the world and knew Dick would be in trouble if Dr. Leslie hadn't been so quick with the cure.
"So, Copperhead went to a more dangerous snake," Bruce stated. "he must have gotten it illegally."
"What now?" Tim asked.
"We wait." Dr. Leslie answered. "The anti-venom should work against this but it may be a while before he wakes up."
"But there must be something we can do," Barbara insisted.
"There isn't, Miss Gordon. I'm sorry."
"Barbara." a soft, strained voice called out.
Everyone looked to see Dick awake, albeit weak with his breaths rugged and barely coherent.
"Take it easy, Dick," Bruce tried to comfort him.
"Barbara...so glad...you're safe." he weakly smiled at her.
-Gotham-Christmas-Carol-
Jason rode his motorcycle through the streets of Gotham. It had been so long since he last step foot near this city, two years to be exact, and it wasn't on good terms with a certain billionaire. Namely, Bruce Wayne. He wondered how he was doing.
He drove by a local diner and parked his motorcycle to get a bite to eat. He noticed a group of Christmas carolers across the street.
"Christmas," Jason scoffed. "Bah humbug!" With that, he walked into the diner.
"Good evening, sir." the waitress greeted him. "My name is Dottie. I will be your server. How can I help you?"
"Just give me a burger with fries. Coca-Cola to drink as well."
"All right," she nodded with a smile. "Your order will be right up."
As Jason waited for his meal, he continued to hear the Christmas music playing from across the street.
"I don't remember Gotham having Christmas Carolers out here." he looked around the window before looking back.
"That's because you haven't been here around Christmas time, I assume." a man next to him replied. "However, they don't have many carolers like they do donors for the Salvation Army."
"What a shock."
Once he received his food, Jason began scarfing it down. After finishing, he paid for his meal and prepared to leave.
"Have a Merry Christmas," Dottie stated as he left the diner.
"Bah humbug," Jason couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
"Good evening, sir." a voice greeted from behind.
Startled, he turned around to see two men holding a red bucket and ringing a bell.
"We are here to collect money for the Salvation Army," the first man told him.
"There are those in need this Holiday season," the second man added.
"What I collect, I keep," Jason replied. "I could give, but I won't. Good afternoon, gentlemen."
"I feel sorry for you, sir." the second man stated.
"Save your pity for the poor!" Jason replied as he hopped onto his bike before driving off and headed for his apartment located on the outskirts of Gotham.
-Gotham-Christmas-Carol-
Jason made his way back to his motorcycle and made his way back to his apartment located on the outskirts of Gotham. He was annoyed with everyone asking for donations and all the Christmas music playing in the streets.
"Christmas, bah humbug," he muttered again, once he was home. "I'm going to my place and sleep off this Christmas."
Upon arriving at the building, Jason heard a loud gust of wind.
"Jason," he heard a wailing voice call out.
"What the-?!"
"Jason," it repeated.
Startled, he hurried to his apartment 210 and slammed the door behind him.
"Jason Todd!" the wailing voice shrieked as the wind whipped around him. The next thing he knew, a mist crawled along his apartment floor.
"My apartment is cheap but this is ridiculous!" Jason exclaimed in fright. Moments later, the mist cleared and the wind was gone. Then he looked to see a red haired woman in chains. "Who the hell are you?!" he demanded.
"Ask me who I was," she replied.
"Okay, have it your way. Who were you?" Jason asked.
"In life, I was your old friend Scarlet." the woman answered. "Years ago, I lived in the same apartment you did."
"Scarlet? What happened to you?" Jason looked at his old friend, startled.
"It wasn't that long ago." Scarlet answered. "About three years ago, I was killed in a motorcycle crash during a robbery I was involved in."
"Well Scarlet," Jason glanced warily, "what's with the chains? Did you wear these chains in life?"
"In life, I cared about no one else," she explained. "I never had the Christmas spirit and not once did I give any consideration to those around me. My only concern was for myself and my works and as a result, after my death, I found myself condemned for eternity. That is what these chains represent."
"I'm sorry to hear. Is there anything I can do for you?" Jason glanced at the chained ghost.
"No. It is too late for me." Scarlet answered. "However, I have come here for your sake. To prevent you from meeting my unfortunate fate. Tonight, you shall be visited by three spirits."
"Three spirits?" Jason quipped. "You've got to be kidding me."
"This is not a joke!" Scarlet boomed. "Hear this now! Expect the first tonight when the clock strikes midnight."
"Wait, can't they all visit me at once," Jason asked, "that way we can get this over with?"
"The second one will come when the clock strikes two o clock." Scarlet continued. "Finally, the third one will come at his own good timing."
"Well, that's just great," Jason muttered.
"Farewell, Jason Todd," Scarlet said as she prepared to leave the room. "Expect me no more and for your own good, take heed of the spirits' warning or all will be lost."
A huge gust of wind filled the room as Scarlet left through the open window. Jason could also hear shrieking and wails from what he assumed to be other condemned people. After Scarlet left the room, the window closed and all was silent.
"That Scarlet was always a kook," Jason stated. "I'm going to bed."