Chapter 19: One Eyed Jacks Wild


Crimson stood in front of the door and listened to the laughter echo around him through his cowl. He reached for the door handle and stopped as his hand froze and he saw a beaten torn up green glove covered hand reach out instead. He shook his head and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath and kicked out forcing the door off its hinges and the deadbolt break free.

A wickedly large smile stretched as Crimson stepped through the door and the vigilante looked over Joker as he spun around in the chair laughing even harder now. Crimson barely noticed the other man dressed in only torn up dress pants and a tuxedo vest nearly fall from the window.

"Oh My Gawd!" The man yelled as he ran to the table and flipped backwards to fall on the table back first. "HE'S HERE!"

Joker laughed and patted the young man on the head. "Why the bat's dead brat dressed in all red comes back and doesn't even write?! I mean after we spent all that time together," Joker clicked his tongue and shook his head, "Made me go out and try to make you jealous by grabbing this little fella!"

Crimson finally noticed the man and took him in. He had light brown hair and striking green eyes that glowed. He was pale, not Joker pale but still pale. What disturbed Crimson most were the massive scars across the man's face that cut his face into a massive smile. Crimson could actually see each side of the man's mouth. As the vigilante looked closer he saw that the man's cheeks had been surgically removed. He couldn't had been more then twenty.

"What did you do?" Crimson watched in horror as the man stood up and looked him right in his face. He smiled and laughed along with the Joker.

"I didn't do a thing!" Joker sang. "I swear! It was all him!" The sadistic clown stood up and walked around the table and grabbed the man by his shoulders. "Its only fair that since Batman has Joker that the knock off also has a knock off. And why not someone who is craziest enough to pay to have his cheeks removed and likes bashing people's faces in with a," Joker smiled even larger and lifted his head back so he could look down at Crimson, "Crowbar."

Crimson tightened his fist as the clown and scared man walked around him slowly.

"Call me Chaotic!" The man said bouncing around instead of walking. "Get it. Chaos will rule remember?" Crimson looked over the man again. "I'm so glad you got my note!" Chaotic pouted. "It took me all night to find those flesh maggots and don't even ask me how long it took to bash their skulls in or arrange them like that. But I did it!" He clapped his hands and held them to his chest. "Don't you get it! This is perfect! Look around!" He ran to the window again as Joker sat back at the table and watched. "I brought your past here to watch as I burn our future together! You can get over Joker by focusing on me! Your Chaos!" The man opened his arms wide and motioned to the burning buildings and smoke of Gorge City. "This is your life now!"

"Boy has a certain flair huh?" Joker laughed.

Crimson cracked his neck and walked towards Chaotic. "You're not worth the energy of what I wanna do to him" Crimson nodded towards Joker at the table. "I know your type. You try and recreate what you see. The last guy saw Bane and Scarecrow. You see Joker. You're a wanna be. And I'm not dealing with this. You're just some poor kid used by Joker for his ma..." Crimson was kicked in the gut by the kid and then the kid back flipped and rammed his feet against Crimson's bent over chin. Crimson skidded back and clutched his jaw in shock and pain.

"NO!" The man yelled causing his hollowed cheeks to open wide. "ITS ALL MINE! I DID ALL OF THIS! NOT HIM, ME!"

"Usually I am flattered when someone comes to me thinking I'm the one to blame." Joker laughed again as he stepped next to Chaotic. "But I'm afraid the kid is right. "I'm simply here as an admirer. Didn't even need to help start the fires or plant the bombs" He shook his head and held his arms up. "I'm a tourist for once, not the terrorist!"

"Ok." Crimson nodded and stood up. "That changes what I was gonna say."

"Oh don't talk." Chaotic laughed. "You'll ruin this!" He pulled a knife from his back and ran forward. Crimson ducked and dodged the strikes. Whoever Chaotic was he was trained. And trained well.

Crimson caught the hand holding the knife and Chaotic flipped the knife to the other hand quickly and Crimson caught that hand as well and the two battled in a fight of strength to see who would over power the other.

"I'll let you boys settle this!" Joker laughed as he pressed a small button and a small controlled explosion went off over them and a hole appeared in the ceiling.

Crimson never faulted and held on tight as Chaotic growled and pushed harder. Crimson growled as well and pushed back finally feeling Chaotic's arms start to give as a rope ladder fell through the hole as the familiar sound of a helicopter sounded over the roof.

"Hold up!" Chaotic smiled as he bashed his head into Crimson's shoulder. Crimson felt and heard his shoulder pop out of place as he grunted in pain and Chaotic smashed his feet into his already hurt shoulder. As Chaotic flipped back to his feet after falling on his feet he leapt up and caught the rope halfway up as Joker wrapped his arm and leg around the ladder and they were carried out of the building. "He's not ready for me yet!" Chaotic yelled at Crimson as the vigilante stood up.

Crimson narrowed his eyes behind his cowl and popped his shoulder back into place against the wall, he rotated his arm to stretch the pain away and walked under the hole where the rope was being pulled up by the minions. Chaotic stood by the open side of the helicopter and shook his head looking down at Crimson.

"Fuck that." Crimson pulled his grapnel from his waist and fired up. Chaotic looked shocked as the hook fired up and burst into the side of the helicopter. "You aren't ready for me." Crimson snarled under his cowl. Crimson slammed the opposite side of the wire into the ground and activated the secondary hook, tethering the helicopter to the building.

"That suppose to impress me?" Chaotic laughed down at Crimson.

Crimson stood right under the hole as the helicopter tried to pull away. Joker was laughing as he watched the scenerior play out. Crimson pulled his gun from his holster and aimed at the wire tethering the helicopter.

"Oh he's impressive alright. That's just like Ba.." As Joker was about to finish his sentence Crimson pulled the trigger.


As the bullet sliced through the line Crimson reached out his hand and used the line to catapult himself up as the helicopter was sent flying out and lost control. Crimson held on and flew over the helicopter for a brief second before he pulled himself towards the door using the line. Crimson landed just inside the helicopter and kicked Joker back into his seat as the clown pulled a knife from under his jacket. He spun on the spot and smashed one of the minions into the window smashing it. As he twisted again Chaotic was already running forward. Crimson took the tackle and twisted on the spot again forcing his back to the pilot pit.

As the maniac and the vigilante crashed into the pilot's pit, knocking out the co-pilot, Crimson twisted his arms right under Chaotic to smash his open palms into the scared man's stomach and chest. As Chaotic grunted in pain, Crimson kicked his leg out smashing the pilot's hand which held a gun towards them away and towards the console and kicked out with his other leg spinning out from under Chaotic and ramming his back and elbow into the pilot knocking him out.

Chaotic held onto the co-pilot's seat and swung his feet out in succession causing Crimson to block the kicks with arms and use his legs to kick out the controls causing the helicopter to spin even further into free fall.

Joker laughed as he was sent flying back and forth and his minions fell from the helicopter. Chaotic flew backwards and landed next to the clown prince of crime. "Having fun yet kid?" Joker cackled.

"A blast!" Chaotic laughed as well. As the villains looked up they saw Crimson come towards them feet first. Crimson landed on each man's chest and leaned down cuffing them together and around the arm rests of their seats.

"Hang around for a bit. I'll go get help." Crimson pushed a way lightly and let physics do its work as he was pulled from the helicopter and watched as the laughing mad men flew off with the out of control helicopter towards the outskirts of the city.


Damian sat across from Cassie, both still wearing their suits, and both exhausted. A news van had caught the action above town hall and they were still waiting to hear from Crimson. Damian looked at his phone again and shook his head as he read no new messages.

"Keep your calm Damian." Cassie said as she took a deep breath. "Jason will be here any minute."

"Any second actually." Crimson spoke as he entered from the bedroom window. "Sorry kiddos. Long night."

"We saw." Damian let out a long breath as Crimson removed his cowl and flopped down next to them on the wrap around couch/there beds. "Chaotic was arrested. He was lucky they landed in the sea. Joker," Damian looked on as Jason never moved and never opened his eyes, "However escaped."

"He always escapes." Jason said shortly. "Chaotic is off the streets though and everything is going back to normal soon so that's all that matters."

"Well said Jason." Cassandra smiled. "And perfect timing actually..." Cassie stood up and held out an envelope. "Its from Gotham Tech."

Jason eyed the envelope then Cassandra again. "Cass you still have another year of High School."

"Its a pre college course." Cassie explained. "I got accepted into the program and this could really launch my future in the direction I really want."

"That would involve you moving back to Gotham though." Jason looked over the letter and scratched his head. "Would you be ok with being that close to Tim again?"

Cassie smiled. "Going to have to start looking towards the future right? I cant let Timothy, or my feelings for Timothy for that matter, stop me from accepting my goals. So if its ok with you..."

"Sweet I'll start packing your shit!" Jason shot up smiling. "Come on Demon Spawn! Help Cassie!" Cassie smiled as her foster brothers ran around helping her pack her belongings.


Jason laid back in his chair at work and blew at the metal shavings that floated around the air from the other stations around him. Thanks to the roads being closed due to reconstruction after what was being called "Night of Red" most cars coming in were needing body work. Though he was trained as a great mechanic in all aspects, his resume said otherwise. And getting paid to sit around and get caught up on paper work and get his next weeks appointments set up while his co-workers pushed themselves to stay ahead, didn't make Jason feel all that bad.

"Wow," The voice shrilled its way into Jason's ears and he groaned, "Seems like I've finally got you on some downtime huh Mr. Todd?" Chloe Sullivan stood by his desk with a small notepad and pen at the ready. "So do you mind please giving me just a few mom..."

"Good lord all Mighty Sullivan!" Jason groaned even loader and slammed his head against his desk. "You are persistent and annoying! Its like you and Damian have made it your lives missions to bother and irritate me!"

Chloe scoffed and crossed her arms. "You know I really don't think a spoiled rich boy like yourself should throw as much shade as you do."

"Oh did I strike a nerve?" Jason crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

"If you struke anything it was your own ego," Chloe looked him over and rolled his eyes, "Listen if you really want to get rid of me just give five minutes of your time." She released a long breath. "And I'll give you all the information about how Bruce Wayne bought out the GCPN."

Jason's eyes narrowed and he leaned forward keeping his arms crossed. "I'm not interested in what Bruce does with his company. You want an interview call my brother Dick. He's more interested in what the old man does with the company."

"So you're saying that you have no interest in the diversion of his will?" Chloe asked with a sly look in her eyes.

"If I wanted that money I'd still be living in Gotham going to Gotham University, getting a degree in business and sitting in an intern office as some paper pusher in a three piece amani suit." Jason leaned back in his chair again and looked down over his cover alls with his name in the corner stitched in. "Clearly I made the better choice."

"And the nice penthouse studio apartment that you live in I'm sure is covered by a grease monkey and elementary student's income. Right?" Chloe leaned back against Jason's toolbox. "How much does babysitting bring in a year?"

Jason leaned forward fully and quickly causing Chloe to step back, only to push into the tool box slightly. "I see what you're doing Miss Sullivan," Jason leaned forward and reached into Chloe's pocket and pulled her phone from her hand and turned off the recorder, "Nice try." Chloe laughed and visibly relaxed as Jason handed her back her phone. "I know about Bruce's will," Jason continued, "He changes it every few years. He doesn't give the kids anymore then we need to survive. His money only covers grocery and the occasional take out session when me and the Demon Spawn don't wanna cook."

"And you expect me and my readers to believe that?" Chloe scoffed.

"You actually believe you have readers?" Jason fired back as he walked back to his chair and began going through his paperwork. "Haven't you heard Sullivan," Jason smiled as he looked over at her out of the corner of his eye, "Print is dead."

"Yeah I heard that," Chloe rolled her eyes and breathed out heavily, "Have you heard that sarcasm is a defense mechanism?"

"Sarcasm as a defense mechanism from the quote spoiled rich kid." Jason shook his head and went back to his paper work. "Do some research before approaching people kid. And get out of my work space." Jason turned his back completely from her and buried his face into the paper work. Ignoring the small pixie cut blonde as she walked away confused.


"Father I don't understand... Why yes I get that but... Things are going well and we... Yes but we handled that situation... We didn't die and we kept the causality count very low... Father... But father..." Damian sat in silence as Jason rested against the counter looking over at his younger sibling on the phone. "But only for the holiday correct?"

Jason smiled and stretched as the winter holidays were quickly approaching. He had hoped that Bruce would ask Damian to come home to visit. He could use a break as he moved to there new apartment. The one bedroom situation had gotten on Jason's nerves and he found a three bedroom across the street in another studio loft. With his income from the mechanic shop he would just barely be able to cover his expenses. Luckily Jason was very cautious with money and invested some of his more "questionable" income into a private account. The Demon Spawn and himself were set for a very long time.

"Yes father I shall be packed and on the private jet first thing in the morning." Damian rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Here Todd," Damian passed his cell phone to Jason, "Father wishes to speak with you."

"Yeah?" Jason answered as he leaned against the counter.

"You want me to see if Squire would be willing to stand in as Red Bird for the week?" Bruce asked all business as usual. Jason could practically hear the batcave echoe in the background.

"Nah Ol' Man I'll be fine." Jason answered. "Besides I could use the alone time while everything is moved."

"Alright," Bruce was obviously busy as he was just barely in the conversation, "Will you drop Damian off? Alfred is leaving soon to fly back with him."

"Of course. I'd love to see Alfie." Jason nodded his head at Damian who rolled his eyes at the sound of the Butler's name.

"Oh goody four hours of Pennyworth's excessive droning." Damian snarled as he walked over to his suitcase to finish packing. "Ho-ho-ho to us."


Jason sat behind the wheel of his El Camino as he watched the Wayne Ind. private jet take off into the sky. He uncrossed his arms as he backed up and drove to the pick up area and parked again.

"Better not be late." Jason checked his watch and rubbed his eyes. 7:30 in the morning and he hasn't been to bed. Jason smiled as he thought of his guess. "Probably not going to get much more either."

"Talking to yourself again Jason?" The elegant voice came from his window. Jason peered that way and saw the pale white hair covering half of her sun touched skin as Rose Wilson smiled in at him. "Cause if so why are you inviting me for the week?"

"I'm not as interesting as you." Jason laughed as Rose slipped her bag into the back of the car and climbed into the car. "So you wanna see what the other side of hero life has to show huh?"

Rose brushed her hair out of her face to reveal her eye-patch covered face and her one blue eye. "I wanna see what you have to show Mr. Todd." Rose smiled bigger. "ALL of what you have to show."

Jason smiled as he started the car. "This is going to be fun."


AN.: So sorry for the late update! Planning a wedding really takes up time. I'm going to try and write more I promise because I love writing this story. I'm really thinking I've got Jason down now. If the last of this chapter seems rushed I'm sorry. I'm trying to get to the next big arc so to speak and Jason is gonna have an interesting Holiday season! I am thinking of redoing Crimson's look to match Jason's new look in the comics. Just hard bringing it to life and keeping the design that I already have. If fan art please tweet it to me or send it on here! Thanks everyone for the support! And remember RandR!