It started that summer

Jokes on Damian

A/N: I will be out of town for a few days, the next update will most likely be Friday or Saturday!**

I woke up slowly, the antiseptic smell and the soft hum of machines filling my senses. Alfred's face hovered above me, his eyes filled with concern. "Master Dick, you're awake," he said gently. "You've suffered a minor concussion. It's important you take it easy."

I tried to sit up, my mind racing with images of the night before. "I need to—"

"Lie back down," Alfred said firmly. "You must not move too quickly. Your body needs time to recover."

Reluctantly, I settled back onto the bed, my head throbbing with every beat of my heart. It felt like my thoughts were trapped in a fog. After a few moments, I finally managed to sit up. Alfred guided me through the manor, helping me to the Batcave where Dad and Barbara were already gathered around the Batcomputer.

"Glad to see you're up," Dad said, his voice low but laced with worry. "How are you feeling?"

"Head's pounding, but I'm okay," I replied, my voice strained. "What's going on? Did Barbara manage to get the data from the SD files?" I might not have been able to keep the camera, but I was able to take the SD card while the guy was down.

Barbara nodded, her face set with determination. "Yes, I got a copy just in time." She pressed play, and the room fell silent as the footage began.

Jason's voice exploded through the speakers, desperate and terrified. "SHUT UP!" he yelled. His breaths came in ragged gasps. The camera shook violently, showing his fear and disorientation. The Joker's twisted laughter cut through the static. My heart sank as I saw Jason trembling, huddled in terror while the Joker mocked him and Batgirl. The camera spun erratically before going dark as Jason buried his face in his hands, trying to escape the horror.

The Joker's cruel laughter grew louder, and Jason's sobs became more intense. I wanted to look away, but I knew I had to keep watching. Then came the horrifying moment when the Joker approached, his grip tightening around Jason's collar. The camera captured every painful second, showing the Joker's sadistic pleasure and Jason's growing fear and pain. Jason's hand shook as he aimed a gun, there was a pop of a gunshot. Then the screen filled with smoke. The camera fell to the floor, along with Jason's limp body.

"Wait, wait," Barbara said urgently. "Batcomputer, rewind." She paused and zoomed in, trying to clarify the blur. "Bruce," she gasped, pointing at a white needle at the bottom of the screen. "That's a sedative. They sedated him."

"Keep going," Bruce said, his voice strained.

The footage continued despite the smoke darkening the screen. The audio, though muffled, was still clear. "I think that's your best trick yet, Puddin!" a familiar voice said.

"Harley," I realized.

The Joker's laugh echoed through the audio as two clown shoes approached Jason's body. "Ohh no, this clown's got more tricks up his sleeves," Joker's manic voice said. "You know what to do with him." The Joker kicked through the smoke and bent down to the camera. His face was covered in makeup, but he looked as if he had been the one to be shot, mirroring the body on the floor.

"Oh God," Dad said, his fear evident.

"HAHAHA! Never seen some makeup before?!" Joker's voice was filled with twisted glee. "If you're seeing this, then you're already too late, Batsy!" He kicked Jason's body and then pointed the camera back at him. "You see, your Birds are already dead. I just needed him out of the way! Isn't that funny I figured if I couldn't finish you off myself, I'd take someone else!"

Dad's face went pale. "No, this can't be happening," he whispered, his voice filled with despair.

The Joker leaned closer to the camera, his voice dripping with cruelty. "In two days, you can find me at the old baseball field. If you come any earlier, another one of your precious Robins will meet their end. I have eyes and ears everywhere, so don't even think about trying anything unless you want more blood on your hands." The footage ended with the Joker's mocking laughter, leaving us in a heavy, suffocating silence. The room was filled with the weight of horror, a darkness that seemed to cling to every corner.