Preface: I thought I would make my first attempt at a Batman story. This is set around Christmas time and it's my way of introducing Jason Todd into my version of the 90s Batman animated series. This canon is different from what you saw initially. Dick Grayson does become Nightwing but he returns to the Bat Family. Tim Drake isn't converted to Joker Junior in this universe. Yeah, this is AU post the 1990s Batman Animated series, including The New Batman Adventures. Thanks to AFY2018 for betaing this story.

Disclaimer: Batman, Batman: the Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures and all characters and properties belong to DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. This story is based upon the famous A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I don't own anything there either.

A Gotham Christmas Carol

As he ran down the streets with his family, Nightwing couldn't help but think how this was a terrible time for someone to be stealing from those in need as it was the holiday season. Of course, these were criminals. Common thieves. They didn't give a damn what day or season this was; stealing was what they did best. As they pursued the snake-dressed man and his three goons, Nightwing could only wonder what started it.

The thing was he had never encountered this criminal before, not even during his time away from the Bat Family. He must be someone Batman had dealt with him in the past.

"So, who is this guy supposed to be?" Nightwing asked.

"Copperhead, a mercenary with lethal snake-like skills," Batman answered. "He was part of the Injustice Gang, hired by Lex Luthor. I dealt with him during my time with the Justice League. I have no idea why he's back in Gotham."

"What gets me is that he has the nerve to steal from those in need," Batgirl spoke up. "Especially during Christmas."

"He's a criminal," Robin replied. "Criminals don't care what day or season it is."

"He has a point," Nightwing agreed. "We need to deal with this crook and return the money to the Salvation Army."

"Then we've got Christmas dinner afterward!" Robin exclaimed with excitement.

"We can't really think of dinner right now," Batgirl berated him. "There's those in need counting on us."

"Less talking, more action!" Nightwing told his family.

"Let's go!" Batman commanded them, motioning them to be serious about this mission.

It didn't take too long for the Bat Family to get Copperhead and his men cornered in an alley as they appeared on top of a building.

While Batman fought Copperhead, the others took on his three henchmen. Nightwing and Batgirl easily defeated their opponents while Robin had some difficulty with his. A goon held a knife to the youngest member's throat. Nightwing quickly jumped to his Brother's aide and knocked the knife out of the crook's hand. Robin was then able to defeat his opponent with help from Nightwing.

They returned to Batman, who was face to face with Copperhead and appeared to have the upper hand at the moment.

"Give it up, Copperhead!" Batman commanded his enemy. "It's over!"

"We'll see about that, Batman," he replied with a smirk. "Just because you got this snake surrounded, doesn't mean I'm defenseless."

"He's right," Batman informed his family. "His bite is toxic, stay on guard."

Before anyone could make a move, Copperhead slid against the wall and quickly vanished from sight.

"What the?!" Nightwing exclaimed in surprise. "Where did he go?"

"I don't remember him getting super speed," Batman couldn't help but say.

-Gotham-Christmas-Carol-

Batgirl looked around the area in confusion. She glanced around at her family and then back at the wall. She found this to be strange. From what she knew, Copperhead had snake-like abilities, so was he able to climb fast or did he develop something to make him faster?

"This is too weird," Batgirl spoke up after a moment of silence. She glanced towards the bag of money on the ground which Robin had his eye on.

"Well," he said with a grin, "at least he left the money for us to return to Salvation Army."

"Something doesn't feel quite right here," their leader added as he looked around for Copperhead.

Batgirl glanced back at the wall again. "I agree. That was too quick."

"I'm not sure," Nightwing spoke up, "but I also agree that this is way too e – watch out!"

Before she could move, Batgirl was shoved to the ground. Moments later, she looked up to see Nightwing wrapped in Copperhead's grasp, struggling to break free.

"No!" Batgirl exclaimed in horror. She found herself unable to move in shock over what was happening.

Batman and Robin tried to step forward to save Nightwing but were stopped in their tracks when Copperhead held him in a tighter vice.

"I wouldn't make a move if I were you," he threatened the two men, "unless you want your Nightwing to suffer even more."

Batgirl watched in terror as Nightwing struggled against his captor's grasp as the rest of the Bat Family stood in abject horror, unable to help but prepare for the inevitable.

Moments later, Copperhead bit Nightwing in the shoulder which forced him to scream in pain. Not even a second later, he used his Escrima sticks to stun his opponent, kicking him to the floor as he staggered away.

Batgirl looked in awe as she worried about her comrade's well-being. The bite was only a second but she knew the effects of the snake bites were dangerous depending on the species of snake of course.

-Gotham-Christmas-Carol-

"Nightwing!" Batman exclaimed in shock as his former ward staggered to the floor.

"I'm fine," he replied as he struggled to stand up from his knees.

Despite the immediate answer, Bruce was not convinced. He had been bitten by Copperhead in the past back when he dealt with him during his time with the Justice League and it was toxic.

The Dark Knight looked down to see their opponent still stunned by Nightwing's blow. He stared in surprise as Copperhead watched him.

"Since I last saw you," Copperhead told him, "I decided to add a little kick to my venom. Your friend is in trouble."

He glanced in surprise as the criminal lost consciousness.

"He's out of action now," Nightwing announced. "When he comes to, he'll be back in jail along with his accomplices and the money will be returned to the Salvation Army."

"Nightwing," Robin walked to his older brother in concern, "you need to get checked out."

"He's is right." Batman walked to his son with Batgirl in tow. "Copperhead appears to be more dangerous than when I last saw him."

"It's just a snake bite," Nightwing tried assuring them with a weak smile. "All I need is anti-venom, right?"

Batman looked at him as if to tell him that it wasn't as simple as he claimed it was.

"I think he might be right, Night." Barbara glanced at Nightwing with concern.

Moments later, Nightwing started feeling the effects of the venom and started groaning in pain. Alarmed, Batman went to attend to the eldest crusader as he sputtered out nonsense. Then, Nightwing fell back as he lost consciousness. Batman and Batgirl caught him before he hit the floor.

"We need help!" Batgirl cried out in horror.

"Let's get back to the batcave!" Batman replied as he picked up Nightwing in his arms and raced his to the Batmobile. Batgirl and Robin looked at each other for a split second before following Batman, making their way to the batcave to get Dick Grayson medical attention.