CHAPTER TWO

Valentine's Day is a meaningless holiday. Why would you need a certain day once a year to show your love to a person who you should love an entire year?

No, it is not Valentine's Day. It is Thursday, February 14th, 2019, at 5:32 EST.

The Joker begged to differ.

As far as I know, he was being held in Arkham Asylum (When will the idiots who run Gotham figure out he escapes that place every time?). However, earlier today, he escaped, and burst into Gotham's finest restaurant.

He killed every person in there.

There were no survivors.

None.

He made sure all of the entrances were locked, shot out the security cameras, and released what might as well be referred to as his "smiling gas". Because though Bruce and I got to the scene as quickly as possible, the only thing we stumbled upon by the time we got there were the corpses of Gotham's rich with their eyes nearly popped out of their head, and wide, disturbing grins on their faces.

We searched for him all the next two nights. We endlessly worked with Commissioner Gordon. I didn't get sleep for forty-eight hours, as I spent the time finding leads with Father, only to turn up to a dead end with each. I collapsed in the Bat Cave, and Father had to carry me up to my bed.

When I woke up, my head was throbbing, and I took a sip of water that Alfred left for me at my bedside. I couldn't help but think how this was like the Blaser bullet case all over again- no leads, no nothing. It couldn't be solved, because of course it couldn't. It's been a month since the attempted assassination on the Joker, and we were still as stuck as we were when it first started. I had a feeling this case would be no different.

So, I thought I had a rather well-thought out idea. I went back to the cave to tell Bruce, who was still sitting at his desk and looking at holograms.

"Father." he looked up at me.

"Yes, Damian?"

"I know we are trying out best to do this ourselves, but evidence is showing that we are not suitable to do so. Why don't we get the Justice League to help us with this? The Flash could run through the city to find the Joker, Superman could use his x-ray vision to scan it-"

"No."

"Why not?"

"No, Damian."

"I'm going to keep arguing with you unless you give me a legitimate reason as to why you won't request help."

"This is a job for Gotham heroes." he said, "I don't want metahumans in Gotham."

I was pissed off now.

"Father." I said sternly, slamming my fist down on his desk, "One hundred forty-three people died, and you don't want help from because you're too egotistical to admit you need it? I am a child, Father, and I still appear to be more mature enough to know we cannot do this alone, despite my dissatisfaction with such. This isn't a game, Father! This is-"

"Enough, Damian!" he yelled, standing up from out of his chair. I glared him down. "The Justice League is for problems involving the entire world, or even outside the world. We all have our respective cities. The Flash has Central City, Superman has Metropolis. Gotham is my city, it's our city to protect. It is not the responsibility of the Justice League."

I was silent a bit before responding quietly, "If you won't get them, I will."

Bruce almost laughed, which irritated me more, "If you want to go ahead and try, fine." and he sat back down.

I clenched my fists. "You know what? I just might do that, Bruce! You'll see, Father. I will go right now!"

Was that impulsive?

Eh, perhaps.

Bruce only smirked. "Good luck, Damian."

I gave him one last harsh glare before I got into my uniform and took off from the Wayne Manor, using the GPS built into my glove to direct me towards a Zeta Tube.

I glided from building to building quite easily and stealthily, seeing the scenery of the busy city below me.

Then, I felt something wrap around and tighten around my torso my near the end of one of my glides to an office building. Still in shock from the sudden event, I had a tough landing on the gravely roof, and I could feel my cheek be scraped open and begin to bleed.

I was panicking, trying to break the ropes, and I began to reach for a birdarang in my belt. I was convinced it was somehow the Joker, and he was going to kidnap and brutally torture me in the same way he did to Jason Todd.

"Hold up, kid." I felt the weight of a boot drop on my back, "I'm not gonna hurt you. Though, I do apologize for the net, but I needed to get your attention somehow."

"Who the fuck are you?!" I spat, getting hold of my birdarang and slicing the ropes open, escaping the weight of his foot and holding the birdarang, ready to fight.

I finally got a look at him. He had a grey outfit on with a leather jacket, and a red helmet that reflected in the moonlight.

"The name's Red Hood." he held out his hand to shake, and I didn't take up the offer. He laughed. "Heh. Hostile. Just like your father."

I narrowed my eyes, "Who are you?" I repeated quietly and sternly.

"Guess I better just cut the shit now, no?" he asked. I saw his hands move up towards his helmet, and he slowly removed it.

I recognized that face.

"What?" was all I could say.

"Hi." he laughed, "I think you know who I am."

"You're Jason Todd."

"Yep."

"And you're supposed to be dead." I added.

"Yep."

"What happened? Did you fake your death? Why are you alive?" I demanded. This entire situation I was suddenly thrown into was extremely bizarre, and-

"Well, that'd be spoilers, wouldn't it?"

I wanted to kill Jason Todd a second time.

"What do you want?"

"Oh, I want you to help me."

"And what makes you think I'll do that, Todd?" I spat his last name like the insult it was.

"I want you to help me kill the Joker."

I didn't respond for a few moments. "What makes you think I'll do that?"

"Well, you've always wanted to prove yourself so you can get on the Team, right? Totally get it, dude. I was on it once. It was pretty dope. Had some hot chicks. Cool dudes. Was fun while it lasted. If you help me kill the Joker, you can prove to both Dick and Bruce that hey- despite your age, you're ready to join- you just took down Gotham's most wanted. And, it'll look like you did it single handedly. I'll get the satisfaction of the Joker's death, and you'll get the Team and the credit for doing it." Jason explained.

It suddenly dawned upon me. "You're the sniper who tried to kill the Joker last month, aren't you?" And then another thing dawned upon me. "Wait, how did you know about me wanting to join the Team?"

"Yes, I am. And I hang around the Wayne manor a bit." Jason put his helmet back on, "Help me find and kill the Joker, and I'll help you get on the Team. Just think about it, kid."

I didn't respond, still attempting to process as to what the hell was happening. He continued to speak.

"Well, if you ask me, it's an offer you can't refuse. Meet me back on this exact building at approximately eleven-twenty-four p.m. tomorrow night if you're in."

I was extremely confused. What was up the specific time? He then suddenly let out a smoke bomb, and I coughed.

I then realized how stupid I was- he probably listed the specific time to keep me confused before he let out the smoke bomb so he could get away without problem. Clever man, I'll have to give it to him.

But there just wasn't enough information he was giving me. The entire thing was extremely sketchy and overall odd, and I was within my rights to be skeptical about it.

I launched my grapple hook to the next building. I was still going to head towards the Zeta Tube, except this time, I wasn't going to the Watchtower to see the Justice League. No, I knew who I had to talk to.

Next stop: Central City, Illinois.