this one-shot takes place after UNDER THE RED HOOD where batman meets with red hood to convince him to come home


Batman stood on the building in front of me. He knew I was there but hadn't said a word.

Gotham was having a really bad storm and Bruce had insisted on going out. Lightning flashed as another figure appeared on the roof. "Didn't think you'd come old man." the figure spoke as he came closer.

I was shocked. Bruce told me that Ra's brought him back but I guess it was too hard to believe he was back. He stepped forward to where I could fully see him. Clad in black pants and brown leather jacket, his face was covered by his infamous red hood. Twin pistols hung by his side, a third in its holster across his chest. "Jason." Bruce said quietly.

Red Hood pulled off his hood to reveal the face of his long dead protégé, Jason Todd.

"Hello, Bruce. Was our reunion a few months back not enough?" Bruce's eyes narrowed. "You know as much as I do that this isn't you." Jason's laugh was humorless and echoed across the rooftop.

"You sure? How do you know that this isn't the real me? The me who died in that warehouse at the hands of that damn madman could've been a mask." Jason was face-to-face with Bruce now and pulled off his cowl. "Our whole lives have been about masks, Bruce. Why can't you see that?"

Bruce gave no answer. He just stared into Jason's blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Jason." Another humorless laugh. "Sorry? SORRY? We went through this before, old man. I forgive you for not saving me. But why, why on this earth is that crappy excuse for a man still alive? I gave you a choice, Kill me and save that son of a bitch, or kill him. But no, you had to go and use your goddamn gadgets to save us both and defend your ****ing morals!"

I sucked in a breath. Why had Bruce not told me about any of that?

"So if you're just gonna give me more of this sentimental crap, I'm going to go." Jason pulled his hood back on. "Have fun with my replacement." His gaze looked around and landed on me.

"You know Dick, the only people I really ever liked were you and Alfie." Jason sighed and jumped off the building. "You shouldn't have watched that." Bruce growled, pulling his cowl back on. "I know. You've just been distant lately."

I walk out of my hiding place and stand beside Batman.

"That won't be the last of him you know." Batman sighs. "I know. But how am I supposed to help him if he won't let me in?" The batsignal lit up the sky, ending our conversation. "Come on Nightwing." "Yessir!" We jump off the building and grapple away, unknowingly being watched by the fallen bird below.