Robin Investigates: Authority over Authority

"So now that's two Arlingtons who knows who we are. I'm guessing he figured us out through Jackie. Jackie didn't tell him who he was, did he? Nah, Jackie's better than that. I'm also guessing Johnny's smart enough to follow the trail, so he probably knows who Bruce is as well. Basically we went to Johnny for answers, now we just have one more thing to worry about. Eh, again he's smart. he'll probably keep his mouth shut. Either that or no-one will believe him. Anyway, with nothing else left to do, we went back home to check up on Jackie. If he's awake he's telling us everything. Something's wrong and we need to know. I didn't get a good look at his face during his outburst in Gotham heights, but Steph did. She actually won't shut up about it. So yeah, not good. Though the screams of pain and crying really said everything that needed to be said. Anyway, we got back home and walked down to the cave. We left Jackie in the medical wing, shivering and crying in that drug-induced sleep I had to put him in. Wish Bruce would've told me what drug it was I stuck him with. Can't be good for a normal human if it's able knock Jackie out. We didn't even make it through the trophy room before we saw Jackie again, though. He was with Alfred, in costume. And he still looked terrible.

 

"What are you doing? You should be in bed, you're sick!"

 

"I know. But there's something I've gotta do...."

 

"There's nothing you gotta do, you just nearly tore apart Gotham Heights!"

 

"Please don't remind me..."

 

"If I must say, Master Jackson has recovered surprisingly quick. I wasn't expecting him to be walking the way he looked. I've seen master Bruce look less pained and he didn't walk for 4 days."

 

"We told you to keep him in bed, Alfred!"

 

"He required my help, Master Timothy. Young Jackson's abilities precede him."

 

"Precede him? What's that mean? Seriously Jackie, you gotta---"

 

"Tell you what's going on, Steph? You're also gonna ask me what caused me so much pain back at Gotham heights. I know because I can here you saying it."

 

"But I didn't say anything, you interrupted me?"

 

"Well, you didn't say it with your voice. You said it with your mind. I've been hearing your mind---well, all your minds for the past couple weeks. Alfred helped me figure it out."

 

"It was my pleasure. Poor child thought he was going mad, hearing voices in his head when it was simply collective thoughts."

 

"You were hearing voices? Why didn't you say anything?"

 

"I-I'll tell you later, right now I gotta go!"

 

"You're not going anywhere! Look at you! You look like you got hit by a train or something! You're staying here and you're telling us everything!"

 

"I will, but right now I gotta go! Savannah needs my help."

 

"Savannah, of course..."

 

"Jackie, it's sweet that you wanna help her, but you're really not well. You need to lie down and let yourself get better,"

 

"I won't get better until she's better! And right now she's way, way more hurt than I am! Please, let me go help her!"

 

"Jackie, we understand that you like her and all, but please for the love of god, think of yourself for a second! You're. Sick. You shouldn't even be standing up! Get back in bed, now!"

 

"Tim, I love you and all, I really do. But you don't know what I've seen, what I've heard, or how I feel. I need this. She needs me right now. I'm going to help her. And if you want to try and stop me, go ahead. But I'm gonna tell you right now, it won't end well for any of us here."

 

'...a-are you threatening me? Jackie, you can't be serious, I--"

 

"Tim, just let him go."

 

"Wha--?"

 

"Bruce?"

 

"Master Bruce? Returned from your patrol early?"

 

"Nothing was happening, Alfred. Figured I should check up on Jackie myself. See if that sedative I had STAR labs whip up had any ill effects."

 

"You had STAR labs make a drug to sedate Jackie with?..."

 

"They knew him better than any of us, Stephanie. Now, Tim, I think we should let Jackie go. He believes someone out there needs help right now, and I trust him."

 

"B-but Bruce, look at him! It's amazing he's even walking! I can't let him go back outside! What if he loses it again?"

 

"I've seen people in worse condition try far stupider things than Jackie wants to do right now. Besides, he says this will help him. From what I've seen and heard, we should accept anything that may help."

 

"Bruce, this is nuts..."

 

"Tim, when we first ran into Jackie, you made me trust you that you could help Jackie and you did. I trusted you when you took him out of STAR labs and made him one of us. I've personally been with Jackie, and I now trust him like I trust the both of you. I think he deserves the same from you."

 

"Might I say that judging by the expression on Master Jackson's face, none of us have a choice in the matter. "

 

This is so bullcrap...

 

Done