Flaming wings don't fly(Jason Todd x OC)

Chapter 1: Embers in the Night

Gotham was a city that never truly slept. The shadows clung to the streets like old secrets, and the cold wind carried whispers of stories long forgotten. Amidst that eternal twilight, vigilantes prowled the night, each with their own brand of justice.

Jason Todd, known to the criminal underworld as Red Hood, was no stranger to the darkness. His methods were ruthless, his heart hardened by betrayal and loss. Yet, under the helmet of the Red Hood, there was still a flicker of the man he once was. He had found a twisted form of redemption in his war against crime, no matter what side of the line he played on.

It was a cool September night when Red Hood first encountered the new vigilante who had begun to make waves in Gotham. He had been patrolling the Narrows, hoping to beat up some thugs and call it a night, when he saw a blaze erupting from an alleyway.

Jason moved swiftly through the shadows, his instincts honed by years of training and combat. As he approached the source of the fire, he expected to find a gang initiation or a pyromaniac on the loose. Instead, he saw something he hadn't expected: A feminine figure dressed in all black standing amidst the flames.

The figure raised a hand, and the fire danced around them like a living entity, shaping and swirling at their command. It was an awe-inspiring display of control. Jason's first thought was that this person was a threat, but as he watched, he realized that the flames were being used to incapacitate a group of thugs without harming the innocent victims behind them. The figure's movements were precise, almost artistic, and there was something undeniably compelling about the way they wielded their power. They seemed merciful almost. 

At least until one thug lunged for one of the victims and was turned to ash.

Red Hood made his presence known with a deliberate cough. The figure turned, revealing a tanned face half covered by a black mask, with an expression that held a mix of surprise, curiosity and annoyance. Her red painted lips where drawn into a tight line. If the figure was annoyed he had interrupted she didn't comment. She simply nodded to the civilians, who quickly got the hint and booked it out of the alleyway.

"Nice trick," Jason said, his voice edged with both admiration and suspicion. "You're the new player in town?"

The new vigilante nodded, turning fully towards him, the fire around them flickering in response. "And you must be Red Hood. I've heard about you." Her head was covered in a black hood that further concealed her face in shadows. He couldn't make out any defining features.

The figure's voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of intensity. There was something in her eyes that made Jason pause. Pain, betrayal, sadness. All three swam in the dark irises.

"I'm Flare," the woman introduced themselves. "I don't have any intention of stepping on your toes, but it would seem we're after the same people."

Jason's gaze hardened slightly. He had seen too many vigilantes come and go, each with their own agendas and methods. Trust didn't come easily to him, especially not with newcomers who wielded the power to burn the whole city down.

"Flare, huh?" Jason mused, his tone a mix of skepticism and reluctant interest. "Well, if you're here to clean up the streets, you should find your own turf away from me and the Bats. I don't mind a little help, as long as you don't get in my way. Pretty sure Batman shares the same sentiment."

Flare's eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement.

"Is that so?" She rasped out, her voice no longer a soft whisper. "I wouldn't dream of trying to get in your way, the Bat maybe. His lack of efficiency tends to put me in a bad mood, might as well give him a reason for his inefficiency."

Jason couldn't help but huff out a laugh. Whoever this woman was, she had spunk. She also apparently wasn't a huge fan of Batman or the way he did things. That gave her points in his book.

"Whatever, just stay out of my way. That's some pretty nice work you do, but i've got my own operations running around here, I don't need you putting someone who I need answers from in the burn ward." He warned.

Flare simply hummed in response, turning away from him.

"Better hope you get to them before i do then." Her tone was teasing, he could almost hear the smirk on her covered face. "If you ever need me light a fire on the roof of the abandoned warehouse on 38th street."

With that she burst into flames, and when they died out she was gone.

Jason blinked twice. Just when his life was slowing down some.