"You need to get in the cell. It's the only choice we have left."
My mentor stood before me in silent contemplation. I knew that he didn't want to go in that cell, not when Scarecrow was still out there. But leaving him free for the Joker to manipulate could prove just as dangerous.
Appearing to have made up his mind, Bruce approached the cell with a solemn nod. As I opened the glass door, however, something ugly flashed in his now emerald eyes. He suddenly grabbed me harshly, shoving me towards the cell. I, however, latched on to wall behind me, fighting against his grip.
"You son of a bitch!" I choked out in shock. He was going to lock me in there! I couldn't stay here, not while Gotham lay in shambles and Oracle was AFK!
"Don't fight me, Robin," Batman growled menacingly. We struggled for what seemed like minutes before I raised my leg, kicking the inside of his shin. His leg buckled and he fell forward, his hold on me slackening. I turned my body, pushing him into the cell at last.
Our fight did not end there. Bruce still held a death-grip on my arm. I held on to the side of the cell for dear life as he yanked me, my arm protesting painfully. He probably wouldn't stop until he ripped it out of its socket!
Taking a chance, I braced my foot against the outside of the cell and pulled out my staff with my free hand. Lunging, I bashed Bruce repeatedly, hoping he would let me go. He snarled in pain, stumbling back and tripping over the equipment in the cell. The Bat fell on his back, but kicked me in the gut before I could counter, sending me flying out of the cell.
As I struggled to pull myself up, I noticed Batman doing the same. This was my chance. I pulled out a shuriken and threw it at the keypad next to the cell. It struck a button, slamming the glass portal shut.
I got up into a sitting position, my breaths shaky and ragged. I couldn't believe that the man I trusted with my life would try to lock me up!
A loud bang in front of me made me start. I looked up fearfully to see Bruce slamming his fists against the glass. I knew it would take more than that to break through, but I was afraid. This was no longer the man I loved like a father. The Clown Prince of Crime was slowly tightening his hold on his psyche. All that work we did with Henry and the other Jokers was in vain.
"You can't do this, Jason!" Bruce shouted, infected eyes glaring right through me. "You're not strong enough! I won't let you go!"
I scrambled to my feet, eyes wide. He really was losing his mind. "I'm sorry, Bruce," I replied, turning and dashing to the main computer.
The next few minutes were a blur. Through burning eyes, I bypassed Joker's hacking and activated the high-level security lockdown, isolating the base from the rest of the movie studios. I also made sure to cut off Bruce's communications. All the while, his roars grew louder, his words biting into me like barbed wire.
"You'll never beat Scarecrow! You'll die without my help!"
I struggled to block his pleas out. Stuffing my belt with any spare gadgets Batman had stored here, I turned and made a run for the elevator. Harley Quinn shrieked something from her cell, but I refused to listen. Once inside, I slammed my hand on the button, starting my upward trip into the city.
I removed my mask and furiously rubbed my eyes. What the hell was I even doing? Did I make the right decision, leaving Bruce down there? I had no time to dwell on my dilemma, as Alfred contacted me on my gauntlet comm.
"Master Drake, are you OK?" the butler asked, "I've lost communications with Batman. Is he alright?"
"He...I…" I faltered, knowing I couldn't lie to the old man. "I'm so sorry, Alfred. It was him. He was the last Joker."
Oracle and Nightwing gawked as I finished my tale. I buried my face in my hand, the stress of the moment returning in full swing.
"You...just left him down there?" I heard Nightwing ask, his tone critical. "All by himself? Completely-"
"Dick," Barbara snapped, cutting him off. "It's done. There are other things that need our attention."
"But...fine," he grumbled, turning away. "You guys go ahead to the GCPD. I'll see if I can't clean up Founder's Island a bit, and maybe...find Jason."
Babs and I looked at him in surprise. "You guys found out?" she muttered.
Dick nodded, face grim. "Yeah. He and Robin went at it while we were looking for the Commissioner. He...got away, probably to get some space." He shrugged uselessly, sad eyes cast downward.
"Good luck, Dick." It was all I could really offer at the moment. The vigilante didn't respond, giving us a small smile before disappearing into the darkness of Gotham once more.
"He'll be fine," Babs reassured, reaching from her seat and taking my hand. "Let's get going."
"Sure," I responded, turning my eyes from where Nightwing had been standing. I brought her hand up to my face, kissing it gently. We managed to share a smile before she disappeared into the Batmobile.
Taking a deep breath, I jumped into the driver's seat, eager to tear through the unfriendly streets to safety.