Western Crossover: Saving the Protagonists of Tragic Stories

Years after Iris’s death, her golden finger finally arrives, only to have been delayed.

The System says her resurrection works like a prepaid card: the energy keeping her alive comes from audience support in this world. As it happens, the luck of a central character is at a low point. If she helps the protagonist through his troubles, she can gain energy and raise his affection at the same time. Two birds with one stone. What could be better?

Iris: I’ve seen this one before. Next comes making up a character, following the plot, redemption or conquest, or going all in? I swear on my ■Jiang bookshelf of two thousand books that I know dozens of tropes... Speaking of which, what happened to the protagonist? If it’s a combat mission, I’m out.

System: Oh, it’s just that the company went bankrupt, the butler died, his birth father turned evil, his family is in crisis, a demon possessed him, the authorities put out a warrant for him, he got injured and lost a hand, his personality went out of control, and everyone turned against him...

Iris: .

Iris: Feeling sorry for a man is the beginning of misfortune.

Iris: Now that I think about it, which tragic novel’s protagonist is this?

System: This world is the main setting of the Batman comics.

Iris: ...Huh? Are you sure this is official canon? How did the protagonist end up in such a state?

Iris: Are you sure the comic won’t be canceled and the world destroyed before my prepaid card runs out?

*

To stop the world from collapsing halfway through her resurrection, Iris decides to step up and become... a screenwriter.

System: Huh? Was the user a screenwriter in her previous job?

Iris: I’ve never been a screenwriter, but I’ve been a fanfic girl! People everywhere enjoy the same things. It’s time to introduce American readers to the things we Chinese readers love most: clearing one’s name after being wronged, playing the pig to eat the tiger, the Dragon King’s return, turning the tables and face-slapping... There’s bound to be something they’ll like!

Iris: Also, can’t I send the characters into the crematorium?

The System breaks into a cold sweat: In principle, you can’t.

Iris: Oh~ So if popularity is high enough, I can do whatever I want.

System: Please, user, stay calm!

*

Bruce seems to have had a very long dream. The memories of the dream are blurry, but it has left him exhausted in body and mind.

When he wakes, the first snow of the winter falls on Gotham, and fresh sunlight lights up his eyes.

No matter what, life goes on.

--- Warning ---

1. This is a bonus-story arc set in the pure DC universe from my other novel. It’s not long, and you can read it without having read that one. I mention the other novel because I want to trick a few people into reading my old work. (Hey!)

2. The protagonist is chaotic good, an unofficial Arkham inmate who goes from an ordinary passerby to a Batman-only fan, devoted to doing things one-on-one with Bats, whether causing trouble or advancing the plot. It should be healing in tone. I personally want to write something sweet. The characters’ romantic histories will come up. I’m writing American comics here, so cut me some slack.jpg

3. Batman-centric, a work of unfettered imagination, a dying Bat-fan’s fantasy. It includes some bitter commentary about canon and certain fan works, complaints, and explanations of outrageous original-storyline events. Haha, my fave really has been treated terribly by the writers :) If anyone feels the same way about this work as I do, I’ll be very grateful

[Important!!! Some scenes are not family-friendly or pleasant. The author has no ill will toward fictional characters. Any blood-pressure-raising moments in the story come with references to the source material; there will be no smearing or defamation. This work was mainly inspired by the author being sick of seeing stories give out burgers while leaving out my fave. I only want Bats to find true happiness. To avoid upsetting people, I’ve added a crematorium tag. If you can’t handle that, please proceed with caution! Seriously, proceed with caution!]

4. I apologize in advance for any OOC characterization. The characters’ intelligence is limited by the author’s. This story has a comics transmigration tag and some fixed forum-style chapters. The posters’ comments include [chaotic, mixed-alignment opinions of all kinds about Batman, as well as some arguments]. Poster comments do not equal the author’s opinions, so please read at your discretion. If anything makes you uncomfortable, escape through the top right corner.

5. Reader comments are open. I occasionally put ramblings, setting Easter eggs, and plot explanations in the author’s notes (I have to share my dumplings and vinegar.jpg). You’re welcome to leave comments and discuss things with me! Your comments are what motivate me to keep updating!

Theme: Those who gather firewood for others must not be left to freeze in the snow