If I turn into another (closed);

[copsormasks]

WHO: Jason Todd (Titans), Chrissy (Stranger Things), Bruce Wayne (The Batman), Clark Kent (Superman 2025), Jason Todd (WFA), Bruce Wayne (DC Comics)
WHEN: After Jason's canon update
WHERE: Nova City, all over
WHAT: Jason has a beef with the belfry
NOTES\WARNINGS: Mentions of drug use, possible mentions of violence (Jason's death)



Chrissy (Stranger Things)

[Jason dreams of the lazarus pit, of being brought to life in the basement of Arkham Asylum, of having one of those drugged inhalers brought to his lips, and then being formed into Red Hood. He wakes slowly from his place on Chrissy’s couch. Each movement measured as Crane’s words echo in the back of his mind. There’s no Batman here. You’re gonna give this city what it needs. With no hesitation. No guilt. No fear. New mask. New name. New you.

We’ll punish all of them for what they’ve done to us.

His gaze drifts over to the door to Chrissy’s bedroom before back to his duffle and backpack. It takes him a moment to recognize where he is, who he’s with, and where Crane disappeared to.

He’s in Etraya. A city not unlike Gotham and full of bats.

He climbs up from the couch, slides his shoes on, and then shoulders both of his bags before he moves toward the door.]


Bruce Wayne (The Batman)

[When Jason returns to the Tower, it’s with an explicit purpose. He first goes up to his room to retrieve a red hoodie. He slides it on and tucks it around his neck so it is almost like a blanket. He shoves a couple other hoodies into his bag and then he makes his way to the Terminal.

He prepares for a confrontation, but he reminds himself. No hesitation. No guilt. No fear.

The elevator lowers to the Terminal and Jason makes a beeline for his suit.]


Clark Kent (Superman 2025)

[Jason remembers Clark coming in the middle of the night to help, how Jason apologized to him. None of that matters now. He needs to make sure Clark know that Jason stands on his own two feet now. He’s Red Hood now and that identity will power him through any issue.]

Super. [He makes sure he speaks clear and precise.] I know you’re listening. Hear this: I don’t need your help any more. I’m Red Hood now and I don’t need anything from you.

[And then he continues his path, expecting nothing to happen.]


Jason Todd (Wayne Family Adventures)

[Jason has been on patrol for about an hour. There’s not nearly the same level as crime as Gotham, no five families running the drug trade and no Rogue’s Gallery to keep an eye on.

No hesitation. No guilt. No fear.

Just as Jason is about to move onto another corner, he hears the presence of another. Gentle footfalls. Jason turns to see the older version of himself. Jason looks out from under his domino mask and red hoodie and shakes his head.]

Hey old man.


Bruce Wayne (DC Comics)


[After encountering nearly every bat in the belfry, Jason is determined not to run into any others. He hates heights, but he forces himself to perch on a rooftop to watch Nova City. His instincts tell him this is the best spot to try and keep an eye on both the Tower and the Manor.

But then he hears someone, just past the view of his red hoodie.

Turning, he sees the other Bruce there. Jason frowns.]

I already talked to one of you. I’m not doing it a second time.

Comments

[leastdramatic]

[With no real crime around, there really isn't much to patrol for. Most of the time when Jason's in his Red Hood suit, it's more about staying in shape and keeping his athletic skills sharp. Jason was going to head to a favorite spot for parkouring when he meets his younger self.

His younger self in a specific kind of outfit]

Hey yourself. Something up?

[Jason his keeps tone casual and even and his helmet hides his concerned expression]

[copsormasks]

[Jason doesn't have his helmet, not yet, but he's wearing a red hoodie pulled up over his head and a domino mask beneath. He eyes the older Jason's uniform, ending with the helmet.]

Crane give you that helmet?

[bubblegumheart]

[Meanwhile, Chrissy has been awake this entire time. After the other night, she's determined to try and wake Jason up if it seems like he's having a nightmare. It's been a few days since he'd started crashing on the sofa. She'd rather him just sleep in her room, but he'd been pretty firm on the sleeping arrangements going forward- and having him a handful of steps away in the next room is better than not having him around at all.

She's been rereading Carrie, but when she hears something in the next room, she's out of bed and into the living room before she can reconsider.]

Jason? Are you okay?

[copsormasks]

[No hesitation. No guilt. Jason shoulders his backpack and his duffel before he looks over at Chrissy, the light is too bright around her, distorting her image. He stares dumbly at her, his head slightly forward and his shoulders slumped. Her voice slows and Jason doesn't completely understand her. So he doesn't answer. Instead, he reassures his hold on his bags and starts toward her front door.]

[bubblegumheart]

Did you have another nightmare?

[She hates that that has to be the first thing out of her mouth, but it's kind of hard to tell. It's possible that he hadn't been asleep at all, which might explain the urge to flee. Still, something feels a little off about the way he's acting, so she doesn't necessarily want to just let him immediately wander off to do whatever he's trying to do.]

Let me make you some breakfast before you go?

[leastdramatic]

[Oh, he doesn't like where this is going already]

No. I made it myself. Why?

[copsormasks]

[Oh now that sounds even better.]

So you could make a second one is what you’re saying.

[There’s no hiding the undercurrent of menace in his voice.]

[leastdramatic]

If I feel like it. Why?

[Though he has a good idea where this is going now]

[copsormasks]

Because I got a new identity, old man.

[He smiles and then breathes out.]

Red Hood.

[leastdramatic]

[Again, Jason is glad his helmet is hiding his expression because right now, he's not happy with that bit of news. His tone remains neutral though]

Yeah? How'd it happen with you?

[copsormasks]

[Jason keeps walking. He hears Chrissy, but he has work to do.]

No time. [His voice is distant, foggy.]

[copsormasks]

Crane dumped me in the pit. Gave me some go-go juice and here I am.

[He spreads his arms wide.]

Ready to kick ass again.

[leastdramatic]

[Fuck]

"Go-go juice."

[Jason can take a couple of guesses what that might mean]

And when you say "Crane," you mean Scarecrow?

[copsormasks]

Who the fuck else?

[Jason’s grin widens as he straightens up. He’s still a few inches shorter but he looks up into the eyes of the helmet.]

No training arc, no fucking around. Life. And a new name.

[leastdramatic]

Just so we're clear, what's Scarecrow like in your world?

[Because Crane sure as shit isn't an ally in older Jason's world]

[copsormasks]

Previously served time in Arkham. Now out, thanks to yours truly. Funny how far money goes when Bruce is across the fucking planet.

[leastdramatic]

[How does this manage to keep getting worse?]

What was he in Arkham for?

[bubblegumheart]

Do you have time to tell me what happened?

[Does he want to? That's probably the more important question here, but it's obvious that something has happened because she can count on one hand the number of times he's turned down the offer of food.]

[copsormasks]

[It's true. Jason is a walking garbage disposal when it comes to food. However, Jason isn't even turning on the light to double-check his things or talk to Chrissy properly.

He pauses and turns halfway, his profile barely illuminated in the relative darkness.</small] Went home. Back to where I belong.

[batsymbol]

( things as of late have been... tense, to say the least. damian has taken it upon himself to more or less glue himself to his younger father's side after everything happened with the kents, feeling that his father was burning out in ways that was causing him to make careless mistakes. bruce had thought it best to just... not be here... but damian had tracked him down and brought him back to the tower. currently, he's not with him — maybe with his kryptonian friend on the roof — so that leaves bruce here on his own in the terminal. so when he hears the sound of the elevator going, he glances up from his utility belt and expects to see damian walking out but... it's jason instead and he blinks some as he takes in his appearance... in the way he makes his way across the terminal for his suit. )

What are you doing?

[copsormasks]

Shouldn’t you be on the other side of the world?

[Excuse your son who is half out of his mind on Crane’s concoction. He pulls out his suit and then slows as he withdaws the helmet the older Bruce gave him. It isn’t red but that can change.] Y’know since you gave up on me and Gotham

[copsormasks]

The usual shit. Why does it fucking matter?

[Jason thinks back to the Tower, where a helmet waiting for him. It’s not red but it’ll have to do.]

[batsymbol]

( that remark gets him to furrow his brows some because.. they’re in etraya? there’s no other side of the world here. setting his utility belt down, he gets himself up but doesn’t yet approach jason. )

What are you going on about?

[copsormasks]

[Jason half turns to Bruce and it take him a moment to comprehend that it’s not his Bruce.

He turns back to his gear and begins collecting it into a bag. His anger continues to heat his words.]

You didn’t bring me back to life.

[batsymbol]

( he didn't, no. but jason hadn't died here. )

I don't... understand.