Dick held his binoculars close as he scanned the buildings in front of him. Him and Jason were tasked to look at any suspicious behaviour while it was day time. They tracked down a drug smuggle, which they would take care of anyways, but we're looking for minor clues about if it was connected to the Joker. Jason was looking closely as well but wished night could fall quickly. Despite what Bruce said, Jason wanted to complete some of this mission himself and not wait around for something to happen. Or even go to do his own missions. Why be stuck in Batman's problems? Him and Dick weren't in their uniforms, however, brought alone masks in their pockets incase they needed to go and investigate.
While Dick continued his scans, Jason began replying to Scarlet on his phone.
School is awful pls save me :((( - S
I would but big Brucey wouldn't be too happy - J
Can you at least order food for when I get home ... - S
It's on me xx - J
OMG thank you jayyyy!!! :)))) - S
Jason smiled to himself as he finished the message.
It sucked though. It sucked how he barely saw her and she has no idea what her family is up too. That they aren't ignoring her because they don't want to speak or they are missing important events because they are selfish. The truths of all the experiences Scarlet has been through could be resolved if Jason could speak out. But what if he did? It would be pointless now. It would cause her so much trauma she wouldn't want to speak to anyone again. Should would also blame them, which they would agree with, with her recent traumas. Knowing her she would move in with someone else. And even if she wanted to join with the Batman, it was far too late. Jason was also secretly evyious over the life she led too. Sure, it wasn't rainbows and sunshine for her. However, living the normal life rather than knowing you have control over who lives of dies does seem better.
"You alright?" Dick turned towards his brother. Jason nodded before saying how they should just stop the smuggle at that moment. "I agree. But also," Dick pulled out a little screen. It showed an image he took from his binoculars "There is nothing related to the Joker. However look at the boxes the drugs are stored in" Jason stared a little. Apart from the cracks and rough texture of the wood, you could detect a small symbol of an umbrella at the corner of the box. He looked up "That's the penguins supply boxes"
"Exactly" Dick pointed out "Though it could mean something else, it shows that the penguin and others might be working with the Joker as well" This could confirm our theory. Especially knowing they have used some of Scarecrows experiments too" This would not be the first time various villains around Gotham partnered up against Batman. It could explain the various spots being attacked as well. If they could see what is inside the boxes as well it could bring them a lot closer to the Joker. There was then talk about if the drugs were filled with something else.....
"Who think it could be Jokers laughing drugs shit?" Jason shook his head. He slowly started putting his mask on. Though he knew it would be a nightmare as the mid day sun was starting to plaster them in sweat. After Dick got himself ready he smirked saying "Guess we should find out" They both looked at each other smirking before looking over to see the various jumps and buildings they needed to cross. Though no one could ideenitify them, they needed to ensure the penguins men wouldn't see anyone near by. "Well, guess I'll see ya there" Dick sped off with a laugh as he jumped off the building. As Jason smirked following it reminded him of how they use to train together. As well as their contests.
The various jumpes were just like brisk walks for the boys as the flipped towards each platform. The air cooling them down as their legs ran quickly. Jason laughed to himself when Dick nearly stood on a cat and remarking to him how the 'Hood' was still in the lead. "You can never beat the orginal" Dick jumped towards a pole and spun around once. He then through himself off where he spun in the air a couple of days. As Jason ran to the end of the roof, Dick appeared landing just Infront of him. Breathing heavy they looked at each other.
"Show off"
"I have style"
"Well I am just practical" The two hero's looked down below to see how close all the men were. They both gave each other a nod to go for it. Soon gravity pulled them down as the began attacking the various criminals unloading the van. Dick started kicking the people surrounding him as Jason slammed his guys into the walls. Soon enough the boys combined forces to make the process quicker. Dick began running to Jason as the guys chased him. Finishing his punch he turned to get ready for the trick. He positioned his hands so Dick could push off of them. After flipping through the air he landed behind the men before tripping them with his legs. "Never gets old" He smirked before knocking them out.
Jason began investigating the boxes to find clues. Their theories on the laughing gases were correct, however, couldn't find a trace on why it was there. Dick analysed a box while speaking. "This is so strange. Joker rarely transports his position like this. Boxes of all things? He usually puts on a show or does it much sneakily" Jason then created the theory of how this was Penguin's style of transport. That the Joker won't be too impressed and he will just do his own stuff from now on. But the question stood of why it was all here? Opening one of the boxes Jason glared at the Jokers packaging. The face laughing at him. He never noticed he was staring so much until Dick picked up on it. "You know, it's just only me here" There was a beep but the two boys ignored it.
"And?" Jason raised an eyebrow closing the lid over. "It's just...You Don't have to hide anything from me" Dick smiled under the mask "Like all this Joker stuff and staying with Bruce, I don't know, do you need to talk?-"
"Dick we had this talk at the fair" Jason put his hand towards his face "I'm fine. I'm glad knowing this will probably be my last time with Brucey. And don't go on how he loves having me here, you're his golden child and that's it"
"Well if you just talk-"
"Talk?" Jason raised his voice. Soon there was another beep "He has made no effort to even speak to me on my own. You know what! I am glad because he still doesn't realise what he did wrong" He stared down at the boxes. The realistic face of the Joker's laugh was plastering his mind now. Dick was about to speak before Jason interrupted him with a sigh "And yes. I am fine with the Joker... Stop acting like I cry about it all the time"
"I'm just letting you know I'm here" Dick finished and continued searching the boxes. There was another beep. Dick picked up on it "What is that annoying sound?" He asked himself.
"Just tell me one thing" Jason randomly spoke out "On topic and all. Do you agree with Bruce?"
"About what?"
"About him not killing the Joker after I died"
Dick's eye widened. Though he knew Jason's experiences and the whole situation, he was never asked that question. But what answer could he provide? An answer that could solve Jason heartache? An answer that brought light to Bruce's perspective of the world? He looked deeper into the box while thinking. This is where he saw something different other than the Joker's laughing gas. It was in different cans and he began scanning it. There was another beep.
Jason began looking into other boxes himself. After hearing another beep he moved closer to the sound. Taking a hammer from one of them men he opened the box slowly. Sweat began plastering his face as he saw a timer strapped to one of the cans. Counting down..... Just like that day...
His mouth jolted has the words couldn't follow a pattern. His hands covering his ears as the piercing laugh began to ring over and over again once more. Not again. Not again. Looking up he was back in that room with no light. He was strapped to the chair as the clinging of the crowbar rattled. Not again. Not again. Before he froze anymore, he turned and blurred out "RUN"
With Dick getting the analyse back of the new gas, and hearing the beeping, he could figure what Jason had discovered. They both ran outside and soon enough heard things being destroyed behind them. Before they could get caught in that mess however, they both pressed their belts that attached them on the rooftops above.
Dick panted as he lied against the roof. Only having energy to view his scanned results which read methane. No wonder the explosion was big. He turned to Jason who was staring at the ground panting as well. Though it felt like he was trapped somewhere. He began taking his mask off before heading to Jason. "Jason? Jason? You okay?" He began taking Jason's mask off as well before he stepped back.
Jason face was in fear. Nothing Dick has ever seen from his brother. Rocking back and forth, Jason eyes watched the ground as he repeated "He's not here. He's not here"
"He's not Jason" Dick tried to help. He began shaking him a little "You did it. You did your mission and we can go home. Come on Jason?" He shook him once more before Jason snapped out of it. He got up quickly looking around him "Wha- what happened?" Dick knew Jason's pride and therefore didn't want to mention the recent innocent. However, he will return to it. The Joker still has effect on him after all these years. He thought of the way for Jason to focus on something else.
"Nothing.. We are just going home to Scarlet"
Cute little Jason and Dick Brother moments! Might rewrite but also need to keep on posting as well haha! Sorry for slow updates and also will do more Scarlet focused chapters soon! Hopefully next one!