Scarecrow (Jason/RedHood)
A pungent odor of decay engulfed the room as the doctor strolled in. If it wasn’t for his costume, Jason wouldn't have been able to recognize the mangled face before him. With an eye missing, jaw barely being held together by poor stitching, and scarred beyond belief, it made the villain even more frightening than before. He struggled against his restraints and minimized his breathing in order to prevent the smell from sickening him. The doctor stood next to the incapacitated boy and smirked, causing his stitching to grow tight making him look even more terrifying.
“Red Hood,” he grumbled, sounding slurred due to his mouth being torn apart. The boy looked into the man’s pale remaining eye and scowled,
“Scarecrow, ugly as always. ” A coarse laughter gurgled from his throat,
“You were never the one for subtlety, Red. I’ve always liked you the best. Such a shame that you refused our little team up.” Jason’s nostrils flared. He would never work with Crane or any of Gotham’s other resident lunatics, which is what got him into this mess in the first place. When the criminals caught wind of a former Robin going rogue and killing evil doers, their bosses took notice and of course everyone wanted to form an alliance, especially if they could get some Batman secrets (which Jason would never allow himself to do even if he did hate Bruce).
“I’d rather die… again,” he stated plainly with a tinge of sass in his voice. He was getting annoyed by his restraints and was formulating a plan to escape while destroying Scarecrow’s hideout in the process. Scarecrow, once again smiled, allowing Jason to see into his disfigured mouth. Distracted by the gore, the boy didn’t see the syringe that Crow was able to procure from his lab coat which now hovered above his arm,
“I’ll be happy to make that happen,” he spoke while sticking the needle into the boy’s toned flesh, pushing down on the plunger, releasing the sickly green toxin into his system. Jason felt his arm burn as the toxin flowed through his body. The room began to spin and he could feel his heart begin to race. Scarecrow’s wicked laugh enveloped his ears as did his now distorted voice,
“Time to face your fears, little bat. What is it that you fear the most?”
His eyes quickly scanned the room around him and noticed that they shifted locations. They were now back in the basement below Arkham where the Joker kept him prisoner.
“No,” he muttered, trying to shut his eyes. This wasn’t real. This had to be the effects of Scarecrow’s toxin. Suddenly an unmistakable eerie voice tickled his eardrums,
“Oh c’mon Jason I can’t be your worst fear can I? I thought we had so much fun together!” His eyes snapped open as the clown walked around his immobilized body.
“Get out of my head! This isn’t real!” he yelled, straining against the restraints. The Joker released one of his famous laughs and stalked over to the boy grabbing his chin,
“Are you so sure?” By this point, the toxin has dispersed through his entire system, making him rethink the entire scenario. Logic was no longer available as his body trembled with fear.
“Think harder Jason. I know I can be scary, but this isn’t your greatest fear.”, the clown snarled. Jason’s eyes shut again as he tried to fight against the toxin, not allowing his fears to be exposed. Sure everyone knew that the Joker traumatized him to his core, but there was something far worse that kept him up at night. He refused to let that fear come to light, especially since it meant putting his family in danger. Joker could feel his inner turmoil and relished in it, he knew he could break the boy. All he needed was some slight convincing. A crowbar materialized and Joker took the opportunity to inflict pain onto the younger man. Lash after lash, hit after hit, he left Jason begging for an end just as he had done months prior, but he still refused to express his undisclosed fear.
“Ah. I think I know how to finally get you to talk birdie. It’s time to have some of your friends join the party don’t you think?” Jason froze, bile burning the back of his throat. No. No. No. NO!
Beside him appeared the bruised and bloodied bodies of the Outlaws, bound together by their wrists. The Joker cackled once more, content with the reaction Jason produced. His throat ached yet he still managed to produce a pained scream towards his teammates.
“Kory! Roy!” The pair shot panicked looks his way as they both struggled against their own muffles and restraints. Jason continued to fight to break free, although his body was badly hurt due to Joker’s torture. Joker flashed the group a sinister smile before tapping the crowbar onto the palm of his hand.
“This is so much fun! I love a good party! Who should I play with next? You Mr. Arsenal or your pretty friend here?”, as if to add fuel to the fire he grazed the cold metallic tip of the weapon across Kory’s sun kissed cheeks. She recoiled from its touch and shot him a look of disgust.
“Leave them alone!”Jason pleaded. Joker ignored the boy and smiled,
“And now we play a game called ‘I’m going to kill your friends while you watch’ and there's nothing that you can do to stop it.” Before Jason could react, Joker raised the bar and began to swing violently at the group, beginning with Roy. Blood splattered across the floor with every blow Roy received, his screams only fueling the Joker’s rage. Jason let out screams of agony as he watched his friend’s life begin to slip away, arms and legs burning from the friction of the cuffs holding him in place. Next was Kory.
“You really are as beautiful as they say.”, the evil clown teased. He trailed the crowbar down her body causing her to shiver. Muffled curses were spewed at the man, exciting him even more. He lowered himself down to her level and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Kory jerked backwards and attempted to move away from the man with no avail.
“Joker please!” Jason screamed again to grab his attention, “Let her go! I’m the one you want. Please just let her go.” Joker remained in his spot choosing to ignore the man’s pleads. Pale arms worked their way around her body before stopping above her chest. Jason felt as if he might throw up. He screamed and pleaded for the man to release her and to cease touching her, but it did no good. Joker was intent on making Jason suffer. Quickly, he wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed. Her body jerked, but within seconds, life drained from her face. Jason let out an animalistic scream that rang through the halls of the asylum. Joker looked pleased.
“Well this was quite the party”, the man joked, once again picking up the crowbar.
“Sucks that it has to end”. Jason was overcome with grief and pain that he was actually welcoming his incoming death. He had let the Joker kill them and there was nothing he could’ve done to save them. His biggest fear was finally revealed. Jason dropped his head as the Joker delivered the last fatal blow. Before the darkness took him, he could hear the faint sounds of familiar voices in the background… screaming his name?
Xxx
Jason woke up with a pounding headache. He opened one eye and saw the bright white light of his room. His room. Wait. He bolted into an upright position, ignoring the searing pain in his limbs and looked around. Kory…Roy…Joker killed them then he had been killed himself. This didn’t make any sense. He’s supposed to be dead! Suddenly he felt pressure on his shoulder and turned his gaze to see Bruce.
“Woah Jason. It’s ok. You’re safe.” Jason continued to fight against Bruce to sit up.
“What happened?! I’m supposed to be dead? Where the fuck am I? Kory… Roy.. Fuck! They’re dead. The Joker got them! They’re fucking dead and it’s all my fault”, he cried, throat beginning to feel tight. Bruce gently wrapped an arm around the younger man, slightly confused. Roy and Kory weren’t with Jason when he was rescued from Scarecrow’s lab and the Joker was still locked up inside of Arkham. What had Jason seen during his trip on fear toxin?
“Jason, Kory and Roy are alive and well. They aren’t dead and neither are you. Joker is still locked up in Arkham. Scarecrow injected you with a high dose of fear toxin causing you to hallucinate what you experienced. Nothing that you saw was real.” The boy shuddered,
“But Joker was there. I saw him.. He… he…” Bruce softened his look and rubbed circles into his son’s back,
“Those were Scarecrow’s goons that attacked you. The toxin was so strong it made you believe it was the Joker.” Tears began to roll down his cheeks. Once again a Gotham villain was able to play into his fears and victimize him.
“Kory,” he whispered. “Roy. It was so real. Joker hurt them the way he hurt me and I couldn’t save them. I can never look at them the same way again. I promised Dick that I would keep her safe and I failed!” Bruce once again held the broken boy in his arms,
“Jay… You didn’t let them get hurt. Scarecrow manipulated what you saw. You kept them safe. You are all safe. Now you have to rest. You’ve had a long day.” Reluctantly, Jason laid back into his bed and allowed for Bruce to console him. It would be a few more days before Jason would fully recover and be reunited with his team, but when they were he felt whole again.