Greetings, Sub Strider here.

The following story was something I had thought of for a while now, but I wasn't entirely sure on the execution. Although I think it's safe to say that not a lot is going to make sense. (possibly…)

On a positive note. It is a Batman Beyond story. Although the humanoid characters are all anthropomorphic animals. (On a side note, characters who were regular animals will still be regular animals. I can't believe I'm saying this with a straight face, but it's more or less running off of Disney rules. God forgive me.)

*Ahem* Let us begin. This is…

The Son of Fear

Pilot

Bgm: Good Symbiote, Bad Symbiote by Wizzywhipitwonderful

"Alright, here's how it's going down! You're gonna open the vault and fill the bags with the money. There's no way in or out. Any sudden bursts of courage will be met with hot lead! Do I make myself clear?!", A grey wolf wearing a black ski mask and a tactical suit, armed with a rifle shouted commandingly as his two henchmen were pressuring a teller to get the vault open. "That would be a good plan, but unfortunately, you missed some details…", A voice said. The wolf looked towards the source of the voice and saw a cat with orange fur, a peach muzzle and long sandy blonde hair standing at the entrance. The cat wore a red and black checkered turtleneck and simple blue jeans underneath a brown trench coat. The cat was tapping his brown boot clad foot on the floor with his arms crossed, revealing a pair of black fingerless gloves with square holes, revealing the back of the cat's hands. "And just who do you think you are, hero?", The wolf questioned.

"Who am I? My name is Jonathan…

Jonathan Crane Jr."

Bgm: CPS2 Originals – Sabertooth (Final Arrangement)

The wolf's eyes widened at learning the cat's name. "The Son of Fear?!"", the wolf questioned with shock in his voice. "I despise that title. I believe a buffoon like you can figure out why.", Jonathan responded opening his blue eyes and scowling towards the wolf. The wolf's shock subsided and was now agitated with Jonathan. "How'd you get in here? There's no way in or out.", The wolf questioned. "Is that what you think? I hate to break this to you, but it seems you failed to notice the entrance for the disabled.", Jonathan replied, pointing to the Disability entrance, The chain binding the lock to the door snapped completely in two. "The door's motorized opening mechanism was more than enough to break the lock and chains.", Jonathan explained. The Wolf then pointed his weapon at Jonathan. "If you're going to shoot me, then be warned, the rumors you've heard about me are true. Pumping through my veins is my father's blood… and his Fear Toxin… If I were to bleed, be it from an open wound or from a bloody nose, the toxin would be released and everyone here would be seeing their worst fears, well… Everyone except me… What does someone like you fear?", Jonathan questioned. "Shut your mouth, boy! In case you haven't noticed, I'm the guy with the gun and you're not!", The Wolf shouted. "In case you haven't noticed, your men are quite literally tied up right now. Take a look and see.", Jonathan replied. The Wolf looked to see his henchmen tied up with what appeared to be a bola. Just then something struck the gun in his hand and sent it across the room. Jonathan then noticed something sticking out of the ground. Upon further inspection, it resembled a round red throwing disc. "Ah, So those rumors are true as well… he really is here in Neo Gotham.", Jonathan stated with intrigue. "Whose here? What are you talking about?", The Wolf questioned as he held his wrist. "Tell me if this looks familiar to you…", Jonathan said as he held up the throwing disc. The would-be robber then noticed the bat-like shape of the disc and immediately began to panic. "Crap! He's here!", The Wolf shouted as he looked around with a panicked expression. "Indeed he is…", Jonathan replied quietly as he examined the batarang. Just then something struck the robber in the jaw, knocking him out cold. Jonathan then saw the unconscious robber and knew who knocked him out.

Bgm: CPS2 Originals – Batman Beyond (Final Arrangement)

Neo Gotham's hero then appeared to cuff the unconscious robber. "Ah, cloaking… Makes sense to keep a low profile.", Jonathan said. "Are you alright?", Batman questioned. "I'm alright, but these people are most likely traumatized.", Jonathan replied. Just then the front entrance burst open as members of the NGPD came rushing in armed to the teeth. Jonathan then saw that Batman was gone. "Hold it right there!", a woman's voice commanded towards Jonathan. A fox with darkened grey fur and hair of the same color, clad in glasses and police gear stood in front of Jonathan. "Commissioner Barbara Gordon, it's an honor to meet you, ma'am.", Jonathan stated as he held out his hand. "Who are you?", The Commissioner questioned. "My name is Jonathan Crane Jr.", Jonathan replied. "What are you doing here in Neo Gotham?", Barbara questioned, while scowling. "I just got back from a long business trip and I was on my way to my stepmother's apartment to make sure she was alright when I saw that oaf and his goons causing some trouble and trying to rob this bank. But as you can see, They were far too incompetent to do much of anything.", Jonathan calmly replied as he retracted his hand. "I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt just this once, don't play the hero, understood?", The Commissioner questioned. "Yes, ma'am, I understand.", Jonathan replied. "I should probably get moving. I don't want my step mother to worry.", Jonathan added. The Commissioner nodded in understanding. And with that Jonathan left the bank and headed onward.

Later that evening…

Bgm: CPS2 Originals – H'el (Final Arrangement)

Jonathan walked down the halls towards his stepmother's apartment. Once he had found her room number, he swallowed a lump in his throat. He then nervously knocked on the door. "What do you want!?", A woman's voice shouted from the other side of it. "It's me…", Jonathan replied as he tried his best to not sound absolutely terrified. Just then he heard several locks being undone on the other side of the door. The door then swung open revealing an old cat with faded yellow fur that was grey in some areas. Upon seeing Jonathan, The old cat's hostile glare softened, as she pulled him into a hug.

Bgm: XCOM UFO Defense OST: Debriefing Music

"I'm so glad you're home, my boy… I've missed you.", The old cat said happily. "And I missed you too, ma", Jonathan replied, hugging his stepmother. "Come on in, you must be very tired.", Jonathan's Stepmother said as he entered. "So how was the business trip?", The stepmother questioned as Jonathan walked in. "It was alright. It's not every day I get to visit Japan.", Jonathan replied as he looked out the window to see the city skyline. Just then a strong fragrance hit Jonathan's nose. "Hm? It smells someone is either using a lot of shampoo or a lot of perfume. Do you smell that as well, ma?", Jonathan questioned. "Yes, I do. Just a moment, please.", a noticeably embarrassed stepmother replied as she walked towards the bathroom. In the meantime, Jonathan continued to look outside as he watched the sunset. ("So that was the Batman… He seemed a little different from what I expected… Could he be a new Batman?"), Jonathan pondered to himself about his encounter with Neo Gotham's protector earlier that day. "Alright, you two. There's someone I want you to meet.", Jonathan heard his stepmother say with a commanding tone. "Yeah yeah, Nana Harley. We hear ya.", A pair of female voices replied with an annoyed tone of voice. ("Hm, Ma must be having family over… I hope I can make a good impression."), Jonathan thought to himself. "This is my stepson.", Harley said. Jonathan then turned to see a pair of twin blonde cats wearing baggy white T-shirts and long gray sweatpants. Upon further examination, Jonathan noticed the Cats' blonde hair was slightly damp. ("They must've just gotten done taking a shower."), Jonathan thought to himself, making an observation. "These are my granddaughters.", Harley stated gesturing toward the twins. Just then, a whistling sound came from the kitchen. "Feel free to get to know one another. I'll be back in a little bit.", Harley stated as she walked towards the kitchen. "So who might you two be?", Jonathan questioned as he sat down in a chair. "I'm Delia Dennis, and this is my sister, Deidre.", One of the twins replied in a friendly tone of voice. The other twin was leaning against the wall, glaring at Jonathan. ("I recognize those names from somewhere. But where?"), Jonathan questioned in his mind. "Who are you? And how are you related to our grandmother?, Deidre questioned. "I was hoping to tell you slowly, but I guess I'll tell you everything I can.", Jonathan replied. "What are you talking about? Tell us what slowly?", Delia questioned. "My name is Jonathan… Jonathan Crane Jr."

Bgm: CPS2 Originals – Scarecrow

The twins were shocked at who was in front of them. (Though only Delia visibly showed it.) "Alright, that explains half of it, but what about the second half?", Deidre questioned. "There's some necessary context that you should know first.", Jonathan calmly stated. "I was conceived thanks to an affair in a mental hospital between a psychiatrist and her patient. That patient being Jonathan Crane, The Scarecrow.", Jonathan stated. "When did this happen?", Deidre questioned. "About twenty years ago. My birth mother had graduated from college with top honors and gained a job at the mental hospital my father was a patient at. They met and soon fell in love with one another and eventually conceived me. However before my birth mother was pregnant with me, my father told her the location of a secret cache of his infamous Fear Toxin. When my father found out my birth mother was pregnant with me, he escaped the mental hospital and was never seen again. My birth mother found the secret cache some time later and used the Fear Toxin inside the cache on herself, while pregnant with me, in grief. She enjoyed the thrill the Toxin gave her. She became addicted to the Fear Toxin and exposed herself to more and more of the toxin. She took one last hit of the Toxin a couple of hours before she gave birth to me. Needless to say, the massive strain the Toxin had on her brain as well as the tremendous amount of pain she was in giving birth to me was too much for her and she died giving birth to me.", Jonathan stated. Delia was wide eyed at what she was just told. "Alright, so what does that have to do with our grandmother?", Deidre questioned. "Let me finish. It will make sense, I promise.", Jonathan replied before continuing. "I was born healthy, or so the doctors thought… As it turned out, prolonged exposure to the Fear Toxin while in the womb contaminated my blood. Upon exposure to air, my blood releases the toxin. I had to be under heavy sedation in order to avoid thrashing and hurting myself and accidentally exposing anyone to the Toxin. I was like that for a week until Ma managed to adopt me thanks to some friends she had in the medical community. She raised me as her own son despite her age. She also found the one thing my birth mother had left for me: my name.", Jonathan finished, slumping his head and drooping his ears. "It wasn't until I was 13 when I was told about my father and how much of a mad man he was.", Jonathan added. Deidre still glared at the orange cat. Delia had a saddened look towards the dismayed cat. "However, I made a vow not to be like my father and began studying in medical science. My majors being in medicine, psychiatry and therapy.", Jonathan finished and lifted himself back up. "Wait a minute. You said twenty years ago right? So does that mean your dad was… um… well…", Delia tried her best to ask her question without offending Jonathan. "My father in his 40s when he and my birth mother conceived me. My birth mother was barely in her 20s.", Jonathan replied. Delia looked away and awkwardly tapped her pointer fingers together. "S-sorry I asked.", Delia replied embarrassedly.

Bgm: CPS2 Originals – Sabertooth

"It's alright. That was in the past. Now I work for a company known as Rejuvenation.", Jonathan stated. "Never heard of it.", Deidre replied. "It's a company that provides advancements in medical science and technology.", Jonathan explained. "My employer prefers not to involve the media with her company projects as to protect them from rival companies and corporate sabotage.", Jonathan continued. "I myself am a leading member of Rejuvenation's science team, as well as my employer's most trusted employee.", Jonathan stated. Just then a ringing sound came from one of Jonathan's coat pockets. Jonathan reached into said pocket and pulled a phone from it. Jonathan then saw who was calling. "Excuse me, I need to take this.", Jonathan stated towards the twins. Jonathan then pressed the answer button and then put said phone to his ear. "Yes ma'am? It's me.", Jonathan stated calmly. "Yes ma'am, I just got home now.", Jonathan replied. "Yes, they're here. I'm talking to them right now. Is everything alright?", Jonathan questioned. "You want to talk to them?", Jonathan questioned. "Alright I'm turning on camera mode.", Jonathan stated. He then pressed some buttons on his phone and then placed it in front of the twins with the screen facing them. The twins saw a fox with bright red fur wearing a leafy green business suit with a white undershirt. The fox also sat in an office chair in front of a desk with her arms crossed and an angered expression towards the twins. "Delia and Deidre Dennis, AKA The Dee Dee Twins. I'm surprised your grandmother took you two in, considering the hell and havoc you two have caused.", The fox said towards the twins. Jonathan's eyes widened at what the fox just said. ("That's why their names sounded so familiar… They're known members of the gang known as the Jokerz!"), the orange cat thought to himself. "So you know we are, but we don't even know who the hell you are. So start talking!", Deidre said commandingly. The fox let out a annoyed sigh. "Very well… I am Amelia Isley, Jonathan's employer and The C.E.O. of Rejuvenation."

BGM: CPS2 Originals – Poison Ivy

"Wait a minute, you're Poison Ivy's daughter, right?", Delia questioned. "That is correct, but I help more than just plants. Now then, onto the reason why I am having this conversation with you two. I am only to going to explain this once. You two will treat your grandmother and your uncle with respect. I will not let you torment the two people most closest to me in my life. If I find out you're causing them any more grief, I will make sure you're thrown back in jail so fast, it'll make your heads spin. Do I make myself clear?", Amelia questioned. "Y-yes ma'am. I understand.", A terrified Delia replied. "You said we have an uncle you know, who are you talking about?", Deidre questioned. "Why, none other than my most trusted employee and the one sitting across from you right now ", Amelia replied with a smug smirk on her face. "Harley adopted and raised Jonathan as her own son, and there is actual documentation that confirms this. Jonathan is technically your uncle.", Amelia explained. Deidre then rolled her eyes and left the room. "Not exactly cooperative, is she?", Amelia questioned. "Well, we are under house arrest, so there's that…", Delia replied, tapping her pointer fingers together nervously. "Just remember what I said.", Amelia stated. "Alright, that is all. Jonathan, turn off speaker. I need to speak with you and only you.", Amelia commanded. Jonathan acquiesced his employer and placed the phone back up to his ear. "Yes ma'am? Yes, I'll be there first thing in the morning. Really? Someone wants to talk to us? Alright, I'll make sure to get there early to get ready. Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, ma'am.", Jonathan replied before ending the call.

Bgm: CPS2 Originals – Sabertooth

"So what did she say?", Delia questioned. "It's classified. Company policy.", Jonathan replied. "I do have a question for you though: Was it really necessary to dress up as seductive Raggedy Ann dolls?", Jonathan questioned back. Delia immediately became embarrassed at this and began stammering and trying to find an answer. "S-so how long have you and your employer known each other?", A visibly uncomfortable Delia questioned, trying to change the subject. Jonathan took note of this and decided to acquiesce the question. "Ms. Isley and I grew up together as childhood friends. Ma was longtime friends with her mother. She would come visit Ma and I every so often when we were kids. She never actually knew her biological mother and was raised privately by good people. After I had graduated college, I was contacted by Ms. Isley for a position in her new company. I have been working there ever since.", Jonathan explained. "So that's why you're her most trusted employee, right?", Delia questioned. "More or less.", Jonathan replied. "However, that does not mean I allow her to show favoritism, because if that were to happen, I would grow sloppy with my work and make a critical mistake.", Jonathan continued. "Anyways, I'm not exactly sure on how to react to being your uncle.", Jonathan added. "Was that Amelia just now?", Jonathan and Delia looked and saw Harley standing outside of the kitchen. "Yes, she was making sure that I had gotten here and also spoke with the twins.", Jonathan replied. "I see. Well, dinner is ready. Why not get some food in your stomach after a long flight?", Harley questioned. "That sounds like a plan.", Jonathan replied as he and Delia went into the kitchen. However, unbeknownst to them, someone was listening in on the previous conversation. The individual in question now stood on the roof of the building. "Did you get all that?", the individual questioned. "Yes, I did.", a reply came from the individual's earpiece. "What are we going to do?", the figure questioned. "Calm down, Terry. I'm going to have a meeting with Jonathan and his employer tomorrow. I'll have you on standby just in case.", The voice replied. "Alright, I'm on my way back now.", Neo Gotham's protector replied before activating the flight mode on his suit.

Later that evening…

BGM: CPS2 Originals – U.S. Agent (Not Final Arrangement) by WizzyWhipitWonderful

Jonathanwas in his bedroom, laying on his bed, wearing a white tank top and grey shorts, inspecting at the Batarang he had recovered from the bank heist he helped avert earlier that day, deep in thought about the conversation he had with his employer. ("What would Mr. Wayne want with Amelia and I? I'm just hoping things work out…"), Jonathan thought to himself before placing the Batarang on his bedside table and drifted off to sleep.

0-0

And thus ends this pilot. I hope you all enjoyed it. My apologies on it taking so long. Be sure to follow me and my stories. I have no association with WizzyWhipitWonderful, I'm just a fan of their music. (I would recommend you check out their channel.) The Base for Jonathon's design was created by Princ3ssCuddl3s on Deviantart.

This Sub Strider signing off…