Joker was dead.
The very purpose of Jason's revenge was killed . . . by someone else!
An he didn't even know who!
"Well, that's unnerving." That kid said next to him. Jason growled, he needed to kill something, since kid was the closest . . .
"Hey, look!" He twerps voice called out, unaware of Jason's darkening mood. Jason turned to look, maybe shoot the kid, only to see him holding up a shiny piece of sharp metal.
Jason stomped over and snatched it out of the kid's hand, "A shurakin." His eyes narrowed, "A damn shurakin." His teeth clenched together, I can't believe this. My personal mission, taken from me . . . by the very freaks that instilled it in me.
Al Ghul was gonna pay. This was his revenge. His kill. The monster that he was supposed to destroy. . . and Al Ghul had his freaking ninja do it instead.
"So, what're you gonna do now?"
God, he just wanted to stab the kid to death, "what do you think?" He hissed at the little dweeb in annoyance.
Who had the audacity to shrug, "I don't know. Kill they guys who did this?"
Now there was an idea. Jason's mental haze cleared. Yah, besides this Al Ghul had a lot to pay for. Putting him through torture. Lying to him. Sending out people to kill him . . . oh yeah, and stealing his revenge.
Huh, maybe the kid wasn't worthless after all.
"Great idea Replacement!" Jason threw the shurakin, it embedded itself in Jokers carcass, "I'mma do just that."
He didn't miss the kids face pale, "Wait! I wasn't - I didn't really mean-"
The both froze as police sirens started coming closer.
"Never mind," Tim muttered and followed Jason, much to the elders displeasure, up the fire escape and away from the sirens.
Oh boy. Jason grinned viciously, the fuzz were gonna love that.
Now, to ditch the little worm.
"Well, it's been swell Replacement. But I have better things to do. So go tag on Dick-face or something."
"But wait, here's your-"
Jason turned and flipped over to the next building before Tim could stop him, or finish his sentence.
The lonely Robin sighed, "Your helmet." He turned, helmet under his arm, and decided to head back to the manor. Through the window. Of course.
It's Saturday.
He was on his day off. Now normally, hero's don't get a day off. But Green Arrow decided that after nearly choking on stress he needed this one measly day off.
The others agreed. Of course they didn't tell him it was because he was driving them crazy. But that was fine.
Oliver inhaled the scent of his coffee and smiled, aah, no place like home. He smirked and sat down on his white leather couch, reaching for the remote. After a hot shower, he was ready to do nothing for the rest of the day.
"Wow, and people call you exciting." A familiar voice interrupted his channel flipping.
"I'm not trying to be exciting." He snapped, not turning around, "I just want some peace and quiet for once. All alone."
Silence.
He heard footsteps click on the tiled floor. Arms suddenly draped around his shoulder, "You sure you want it 'All alone'?" She whispered in his ear.
Ollie rolled his eyes, and put his coffee down, "Dinah, is there a reason you're here? Cuz normally you need something and- yow!"
One minute he was sitting down, the next sailing upside down through the air, the last . . on the floor, pinned by the extremely attractive female.
She leaned forward, pinning his arms, a teasing look on her face, "Do I need a reason to bother you?" She smirked.
Ollie couldn't help it. He grinned, "I guess not. I'm just tired"
Her face turned pouty, "Poor baby, those Bat kids got you all tuckered out," the blond haired woman smiled as she ran her fingers through the archers hair.
"No. Batman's got me strung high." He grumped, sitting up with Dinah on his lap.
She let out a small laugh, "I bet." And kissed him.
Ollie forgot about his stress in the moment, enjoying his girlfriend . . . until his com went off.
Dinah nearly laughed at the archers murderous look, "Well, go on. Answer it."
He debated on this for a minute. The com seemed to be going off louder now. With an angry huff, he lifted Dinah off his lap and effortlessly placed her on the couch, then he reached for the offending piece of technology and clicked it on, "What?" He said less than friendly.
"Whoa. Sorry, did I interrupt something?" Hal's voice came through, confused.
Ollie rolled his eyes, "No, what's the problem?"
"We've gotten in some weird reports." Hal's voice dropped to serious now.
The Archer grimaced, great, more bad news, "And?"
"It looks like villains are disappearing, some have been found dead." Green Lantern continued.
Ollie shot Dinah a look then went back to the com, "So? I already knew that. Gotham's been flipping out cuz somebody's been killing criminals."
"No Arrow. Not like that. Villains, big time villains, from everywhere, their not just shot and left to rot . . . their missing. And only a few have been found dead. One even had a sword impelled in still."
This didn't settle well with the gold haired man, "So you're saying . . . this is somebody else now?"
"Yah. Somebodies. It's bigger this time. Not just some crazed wacko with several guns. It's organized, and from what Man Hunter can tell, it's a big sort of organized. Arrow-"
Ollie sucked in his breath, waiting for Hal to finish.
"Somebody's kidnapping villains. And we don't have a clue why. . . "
Dick let out an exasperated sigh as he made his way back down to the cave. The days seemed to drag on. It felt like Alfred was the only one in the house aside from himself. He barely saw the little ninja and that Annie girl. He hadn't seen Tim since he'd come back and he highly doubted ever seeing Babs again. Let alone anyone else.
It's official Grayson. They all hate your guts. He frowned, taking a sip from the coffee Al had graciously provided for him. He tapped on the bat-computer and decided to check up on the latest news.
He really should get his head back in the game. Just because your family can't stand even looking at you doesn't mean you should stop being Nightwing . . . but people still blamed heroes for Jason's crazed murder fest. I really got to get him to stop. He muttered absently. After nearly a year and a half of chasing the kid around the world . . . Dick was used to his bullet trails. Batman would kill him if he heard him think that.
A big bold headline burst forth on the giant screen. Dick gasped, chocked mid sip and jumped up so suddenly the swivel chair fell backwards.
His eyes bugged out, "What the hell?!"
The Bat-cave's secret door slammed open.
Dick turned quickly to see a frazzled red head, breathing heavily, a newspaper clutched in her hand, her eyes glared at him.
"B-Barbara?"
"Did you see this!?" She demanded, before her eyes rested on the headlines flashing on the computer scree, her jaw slackened.
Dick nodded.
They didn't move, neither could believe what they had read. It didn't seem possible. There was just no way . . .
Barbara spoke up, in a urgent whisper "Joker's Dead . . ."
Dick didn't know if he wanted to laugh . . . or freak out.
Talia Al- Ghul walked down the hall of her father's most recent secret base. His plan was whirling into action now. He realized Batman wasn't on their trail yet. Better act fast than regret caution later.
She agreed. On some levels. She told her father about sending her son to the detective, as a distraction. The head of demons approved entirely. Brilliant he called it. Yet another use for his grandson.
Talia stopped in front of a door, still, her fathers plan was becoming more warped as it went on. And if she could notice that, that was saying something.
Her graceful fingers clicked on the key pad next to the metal door, she tapped in the code. The door swished open, allowing for her entry. The black clad woman let her cold eyes take in the near chaotic sight. There was scientists and a few ninja running back and forth. Computers bleeped. Tubes upon tubes of serum holding deformed blobs of some sort lined the walls.
Father's project.
She set her face into a stony expression and caught one of the scientists, "Doctor Langstrum."
The hunched, short man with red rimmed eyes rattled under the woman's hard eyes, "Mis-mistress."
"What is the status."
"The project goes well. Master has nothing to worry about. It seems to be easier to create from scratch then to bring back the dead . . ." He paled and averted his eyes when she narrowed hers at him.
"See to it that it continues as planned." With that she turned and left the mess to itself.
"Mistress?"
Talia turned around to see one of her ninja bowing on one knee, "Speak."
"We haven't been able to find any trace of the bounty hunter Master has sent for that boy." The ninja rasped out.
Talia refused to let this irk her, "I told you to find him. Not make excuses." She walked past regally, "Now find him. Or suffer the consequences of failure."
"Yes . . . Mistress."
Talia ignored him and continued on her way across her domain.
Deathstroke would be found. He had to be. Talia's eyes hardened, if he managed to get that boy . . . Batman would find this trail faster than before. . . That and although she wouldn't ever acknowledge it out loud , she still hoped to get the boy on her side, he was . . . useful.
Annie took a deep breath and knocked. It was taking a lot of courage and strength to just do that.
She waited in the huge, yet stuffy hallway.
Nothing.
No answer. He didn't answer. Sure, she knew that was a bigger possibility then him actually answering the door. But that didn't make it hurt any less.
She sighed and turned to go.
The door creaked open. Annie whirled around, her silky black hair slapped her face from the speed.
Tim peeked an eye out of the crack he'd allowed the door to open.
"Timmy?" She whispered slowly, as if afraid she might scare him, "Please , can't you come out? Hiding won't fix anything. And we- I - miss you." She begged, her eyes large and sad.
She watched as the boy straightened and opened the door a little wider, "I don't want to Annie. It'll hurt too much if I -"
"But Tim, you can't rot away in your room! Please, just come out and be normale-ish again. You don't have to talk to him. Just come out . . ." She clasped her hands in front of her chest, pleadingly.
The boy looked torn between her puppy face and his stubbornness. Finally, after a thick minute, he sighed.
"I'll think about it. Ok?"
She figured that was the best she could get for now, "Ok. Please think quickly."
He nodded and slowly closed the door, leaving the girl alone once again.
Annie sighed and rubbed her prickling bare arms, if only he would just suck it up and go on. She knew he had some sort of trauma against Dick Grayson . . . but she'd never really felt the full extent of it until now.
She was lost in thought as she made her way down the big staircase.
She froze when she heard Alfred's voice.
"Master Bruce , you really don't mean-"
"I have no choice, Alfred," Bruce voice came through a bunch of static. Annie realized he must be talking through a com.
"But what if you never return? Be reasonable. These children are your responsibility. You've brought them into this life. You don't realize just how broken they all are . . . and master Jason-"
"I know. He's been on a killing spree for the past month. Dick found him, so that may be something. But I can't come back. Not now. Try to keep them from killing each other . . . or themselves. This mission is too important to-"
The com buzzed.
"Master Bruce?"
It fizzled. Some incoherent words babbled through.
Then, dead silence.
Annie heard the old butler sigh. "Stay safe sir. I hope you realize what you're doing."
Annie didn't stay to hear anymore. Batman wasn't coming back any time soon. This would only make things worse. She wanted to cry. She was very close to hating the man for the pain he'd inflicted on Timmy, forget everyone else.
She ran to her room and slammed the door shut, sliding down it and felt tears run down her face.
She didn't know what a whole family was. Only what a broken one is. Maybe that was more than not knowing what any kind of family was . . . or maybe a broken one was worse than a nonexistent one?
She didn't know anymore. She cried.
For what? She wasn't really sure.
Tim slash Robin, ran harder, the cold winter air bit his nose as he ran, jumped, and flipped over Gotham's roof tops.
He'd snuck out again, alone. He just wanted to be alone. Nothing else. He wanted to forget where he was, to forget those that hurt him.
But for some reason . . . Annie this morning, she was stuck in his head. Her big pleading eyes wouldn't go away.
'You don't have to talk to him, just come out. Hiding won't fix anything. . . ' She was right. It wouldn't.
But that's what Tim was good at. Hiding from realities problems that couldn't be fixed with his brain. But that didn't work either.
He let out a huff, what am I supposed to do?
He flipped onto an old warehouse and stopped, his eyes glared at the foggy moon, Say, hey Dick! Remember me? The kid you left behind and broke! Sorry I'm such a failure! Wanna be friends now?
His glare turned hard. Pfft, yeah, right. Friends. Tim let a growl escape his throat. Tears threatened his eyes again. He brushed them through his mask. Stupid, weak. That's what you are. Weak and pathetic.
He tore the mask off and crumpled it in his hand angrily. Robin. What kind of Robin was he?
"A lame one."
Tim almost fell off the building. He gasped and turned around, seeing what he expected to see. Jason Todd, helmet-less with a sardonic smirk on his face.
Tim scowled darkly and sat at the ledge, his back turned to the un-dead guy. I'm not gonna let him get to me.
"You realize that one: you're talking out loud and two: This is my spying spot." Heavy boots clumped towards the hunched Robin.
Tim rolled his eyes, "Of course it is."
"It is. I'm surprised you Bat-brats didn't realize that sooner."
Tim could of slapped him, if he wasn't scary, and way bigger. . .
"You know you're a bat-brat too." Tim knew it was a dumb idea to tick this guy off. But he didn't care at the moment, about anything.
Jason let out a harsh laugh from his standing position above Robin's head, "You wish. I haven't been a bat-brat since before I died."
Tim blinked when the older male actually sat down next to him. His heart stabbed with fear. What the heck? Was this guy gonna kill him now? Sure, that would be much appreciated by more than just Tim but . . . The young Robin peeked at the older boy.
His face was relaxed. Nothing on it, his hard green eyes glazed over as he stared at the dark sky. His sharp jaw defined by the moon light. Tim hated to admit it . . . but he looked so normal. He couldn't picture this guy being the crazed killer they'd been chasing for so long.
"You gonna sit there and stare at me all night?" Jason spoke without moving anything except his mouth.
Tim instantly averted his eyes, embarrassment creeping up.
"You got something to say bird brain?" Jason snapped out again, still staring into space.
He did . . ." Um . . .why'd you come back to Gotham for?"
A minute of rare silence.
"You know why. Because of that Clown." Jason's voice hardened.
Tim swallowed thickly, he was on thin ice now, "Yah, but now that he's dead . . . " A lump rose in his throat, not letting him finish that sentence.
"I'mma kill the guy who did it too. When I find him though. Not really in any hurry." The older boys voice went back to flat.
"That . ."
"Doesn't sound like something a psycho would do? Wait for whatever. Yah. I know." He didn't say anything else. Tim half expected him to say 'but I'm not a psycho. Guess that was stretching the truth.
"I was thinking about going after Bats and clan a while back though."
This scared Tim to actually shift even further from the leather clad teen.
"Then I found out, Bats wasn't even here." He continued, "That revenge ran stale after that. And I tried to shoot Dick . . . damn moron managed to weasel his way out of it. Then I was gonna go after you . . . but after actually seeing you. I figured you weren't worth it."
Tim couldn't deny the whoosh of relief that actually passed over him.
"But that doesn't mean I can't."
Relief gone.
Silence reigned again. Tim decided he liked silence better than Jason's raspy voice.
"Well. Isn't this precious." A bone chilling voice caused both boys to jump up and step into fighting stances. Tim paled.
Jason's face turned dark, "What the hell are you doing here?!" He snapped harshly.
Tim tried to hide his fear, "J- That's Deathstroke! What is Deathstroke doing here in Gotham?" He would deny it later, but the boy almost stepped behind Jason for safety, "Batman's not here, so you can't settle whatever score you have with him." He said braver than he felt.
Jason scoffed.
Deathstroke stood there, huge, dark, his presence incredibly sinister, "I'm not here for the Bat. I'm here for his Bird."
"No prob. You can have him." Jason shoved the short Robin closer. Tim's blood froze as the man looked down at him, black mask hiding his face, one eye in an eye patch.
"Should I have said, Ex-bird?"
Tim almost relaxed. Then he realized . . . wait, this guy would probably kill him too! Dang, and he hadn't even said good bye to Annie.
"Oh. Let me guess." Tim bit his lip, Jason's snarl sent chills through him, "Old Ghul gettin tired of my return to sender deliveries?"
This has happened to him before! Tim panicked, but wait, Jason was still here. Maybe that meant- He screamed as the assassin charged forward with unnatural speed and uppercut Jason square in the face, Tim lost concentration and was kicked before he could blink in the chest.
The small boy went sprawling across the roof top, his cold face scrapped against the concert.
He lifted himself shakily off the ground. Jason was dodging a sword with incredible speed.
The older killer wasn't even trying though. This worried Robin. He had to do something! A sickening crunch broke through the air. Tim watched as Jason flew back wards and rolled to his knees. But didn't get up.
Deathstroke tutted softly as he walked towards the immobile teen, "This is what they were so worried about? Pitiful, I was rather hoping for a challenge."
Tim gaped.
"Challenge this!" Jason sprung out like a coiled snake and attacked the man. He had a dagger in his hand. Tim wondered why he hadn't shot the guy yet?
His thoughts were cut off as Jason landed several hits and stabbed the assassin in the shoulder. Deathstroke grit his teeth, slashed the boy across the chest. Then swept his feet out from under him.
Tim paled when he heard a nasty thud. Get up you idiot! Get the heck up! What kinda Robin are you?
Deathstroke flipped Jason over and bent his arm back making his victim actually hiss in pain. Jason let out a curse and banged his head into the assassins nose.
The death grip tightened and moved to the boys throat.
Tim didn't know why he didn't just run and leave these two to kill each other . . . or leave Jason to be killed.
Because that's not what a hero does. The current Robin, shamed by his less than noble thoughts, stood up, and with accurate aim, threw a bird-a-rang straight at the Assassins hand.
He felt a tinge of pride when it sliced the mans hand and he lost his grip on Jason's throat. This didn't go unnoticed by the older boy so he wretched away and threw a knuckle busting punch right in the mans face.
The assassin stumbled back, and bent in a crouched position, "Not bad. For children."
Tim jumped in the air with his staff expanded, he brought it down, Deathstroke grabbed it mid air and used the momentum to twist the boy around and threw him into Jason's charging body.
Both boys flew back in a heap. The man smirked under his mask and aimed a deadly dagger at them. Tim gaped, throwing a bird-a-rang at the dagger, knocking it off course before it could impale either of them.
This momentary distraction was enough for Deathstroke to flip and throw several hits, wounding each boy.
Tim saw stars for a minute befor a wack in the head. He glanced at Jason, both were breathing hard, the only difference was Jason was more bloody and had a sadistic grin on his face. Tim was suddenly more afraid of him than the monster in front of them.
"We can't go on . . . he's gonna kill us." Tim tried to reason in vain.
"Let 'im try." Jason hissed gleefully.
Tim had had enough. Maybe this moron wanted to die . . . and maybe Tim should probably let him. But-
Lats minute thought caused the small boy to grab the older by the collar with surprising strength. He twisted, threw a pellet in Deathstrokes direction, which the assassin sliced as expected, causing it to blow up, and knock him back while releasing a smoke screen.
This was the cover Tim needed to drag them away form there. Which he did.
Surprisingly, with little resistance for Jason.
He didn't stop until they were more than two miles away from the guy.
By the time Tim was sure they'd lost him, the Robin was tuckered out. Adrenalin still pumped through him, not letting him feel his wounds.
Jason was breathing hard next to him.
Silence.
"That was stupid." Jason shattered the silence.
Tim resisted the urge to punch him, "Why? I'm sorry if saving your life is stupid!" The current Boy wonder snapped, irritated now.
Jason stared at him, Green eyes narrowed, "You know I can just kill you right?"
"I don't care." Tim shoved off the wall and started to walk away, "You can do whatever you want. Nobody would care if you did anyhow."
Tim meant it, viciously. Something grabbed his cape stopping the boy short and yanked him back against the wall, "Hey!"
"You want me to shoot you?" It was a question. And he asked it simply. Tim almost didn't believe it was the same guy.
"No, but I wouldn't care if you did. Don't you get it Todd!" He pulled away and glared at the older boy who barley blinked in response, "They took me in to fill in the damn hole you left behind. When I couldn't . . . because I can't, they realized it and it hurt worse. I never belonged there, especially since it was to take your stupid place." He was breathing harder now, Jason hadn't moved, "But nobody can take your place. I tried, I'm not gonna lie, I tried to fit into your shadow. But I'm just not you. And that's it." He turned to leave for real this time.
Jason didn't stop him.
Tim was pretty sure he wouldn't, until he spoke.
"Guess you're not as useless as I thought. Almost makes me decide to at least think before I shoot you."
Tim stopped, and turned his head a little, "You haven't even tried yet." He caught a smirk from the ex-robin.
"I know. Want me to?" It was a crude tease. Tim actually found himself surprised that the weirdo could tease.
"No thanks. Maybe some other time."
"Sure."
Tim pulled out his grappling hook and shot it.
"Catch you around kid." Was all he heard before taking off.
Maybe Todd wasn't so insane after all.
Definitely mixed thoughts there.
There.
Final written chapter.
I don't have any more written out and I likely won't. Not in this decade anyway. Maybe someday - maybe I'll completely revamp this story but - until then . . . this is it.
I hate to leave things incomplete. But I took on more than I could chew with this one. I'm sorry to those that actually enjoyed this story.
I hope this doesn't discourage you from checking out my newer works - definitely better than this. I hope.
See ya around maybe.
Thanks to those that did support though! Meant a lot to me.