Earth-69 Spotlights: Nighthunter

~Nighthunter, Gotham City~

Nighthunter dashed across the rooftops of Gotham on his nightly patrol route he usually ran with his mentor, Huntress. Helena Bertenelli, much more widely known as Huntress was the daughter of a mafia family. When she took on her superhero persona she was shunned by the hero community for her willingness to kill, but that didn't stop her from still taking out her prey. One night Huntress attempted to save a family from their drunk father who in a fit of rage was trying to murder them. The father took a sledgehammer to his wife's head and coldly shot his daughter, then proceeded to finish off his adolescent son, but Huntress intervened in time to save the boy. Traumatized, frightened, and now an orphan, Huntress took in the young boy as her own being reminded of her own tragic childhood within him.

Gauge vigorously trained with Helena for years until he reached adulthood before he created a costume inspired by her own and took on the persona, Nighthunter then joined Huntress as her ally on the streets of Gotham. Since Helena is a devote catholic, Gauge chose to hide his homosexual identity from her, in fear that she may disown him if she were to find out. Gauge knew she developed a strong love for him as he did for her, but he also knew what religion could do to a person, and how quickly it could change them.

Helena went off to France to take care of a personal matter, and left Nighthunter alone in Gotham. While watching the news that morning, Nighthunter saw a report on a man who molested over sixteen children, get pardoned for his account and was set free by the governor of Rhode Island. Nighthunter effortlessly flipped across the rooftops on his way to this man's house to deliver the justice that the judicial system failed to serve.

{{Nighthunter}} It makes me sick knowing the things society can get away with, so long as they have enough money. I'm glad Helena will be out of the country for a little while. She wouldn't approve of me committing this act. She'd probably go out and do this herself to keep the blood off my hands, but what she doesn't realize is I don't mind. In fact, it's brings me more satisfaction then it should, ridding the world of monsters like him.

In no time Nighthunter arrived on the roof of his victim's house. Considering the hour he knew that his target would more then likely be asleep and since he lived alone, Nighthunter knew this would be a cake walk for him.

He secured one of his grappling hooks to the edge to the roof, then proceeded to slowly scale down to the room of Terry Seducsky, the former little league basketball coach that got fired after the charges came to light. Nighthunter pulled out his diamond edged compass from his utility belt and carved a hole big enough for his arm to fit through. Nighthunter then stealthily opened the window and hopped into Terry Seducsky's bedroom.

The convicted child molester was sound asleep. His room was a complete mess, and Nighthunter couldn't tell if he was smelling old milk or moldy bread, but either way is was grotesque. Nighthunter lightly walked over to Terry Seducsky, and as soon as he was within reach Nighthunter drop kicked the child molester in his gut, instantly waking him up. He choked out a few words as he tried to catch his breathe.

(Terry Seducsky) Who... the hell... are you, bastard?

Nighthunter pulled out his crossbow and cocked back an arrow, then aimed his weapon at Terry Seducsky's heart.

(Terry Seducsky) Wow, wow, wait a minute. I don't know which cape you are but you guys aren't supposed to kill. Why are you even after me?

Nighthunter mercilessly watched his victim grovel for his life as he tried to figure out what he could say to change Nighthunter's mind, but their was nothing he could say. Nighthunter entered this mans home ready to take his life.

(Nighthunter) Because, every time you touched a little boy, every time you forced a young child to keep your dirty little secret, you robbed an innocent soul of their innocence! And your never going to get the chance to do it again. The governor can't protect you from me.

(Terry Seducsky) Hey now, don't be so rash. I've learned my lesson, I swear! I'll never touch a child again! Please believe me.

Nighthunter scowled at his cowering target before relentlessly pulling his trigger. The man died instantly just as he lived his life. Like a coward.

{{Nighthunter}} Trust me, I believe you.

Nighthunter exited Terry Seducsky's home as quickly and quietly as he entered then continued his patrol around Gotham as if nothing just happened. He did not feel remorse for the man's life he just ended. In his mind it was completely justified, for the sake of the children that will be forever scarred by that man.

Nighthunter was only a few minutes from heading home when he heard numerous firetruck sirens blaring in the distance. When Nighthunter looked in the direction the sirens were heading, he saw a building engulfed in flames. Nighthunter wasted no time getting to the scene. There was a large crowd that formed to witness the fire as well as numerous police and firemen.

{{Nighthunter}} Great, dozens and dozens of cops to try to arrest me for doing a good deed. I'll let them handle this.

As Nighthunter prepared to return home, he heard the cries of a middle aged woman who just barely made it out alive from the inferno.

(Middle Aged Woman) Help me! Someone, please help! My son is trapped on the eighth floor! I couldn't get him out.

One of the firemen went up to get the woman's whole story.

{{Nighthunter}} Idiots! There wasting time. That boy will be cooked by the time they decide to go in for him.

Nighthunter uncoiled his thick bull whip from his waist then skillfully flung it around a thick satellite pole attached to the scorching rooftop. The young hero warily moved to the edge of the roof he stood on and calculated how much leverage he'd need to successfully break through the eight story building.

{{Nighthunter}} Okay, okay, okay. I can do this. I've handled worse. Just gotta make this quick and stealthy, exactly what I was trained for.

Nighthunter took a deep breathe, then jumped off the building and began soaring from his bullwhip until he burst through the window into the inferno. Nighthunter rolled to a stop and managed to land on his feet. He quickly used his cape to filter out the thick smoke filling the blazing hallway.

(Nighthunter) Hello! Is anyone trapped up here!

Nighthunter listened for a moment but heard no response. Realizing that if a child really was trapped up there, him not responding to Nighthunter's call, was anything but a good sign. With great haste Nighthunter began checking each room on the floor and when he was about half way down the hallway, he heard a young voice calling out for help.

Nighthunter rushed to the room he heard the call for help come from and effortlessly kicked the flaming door down. After some searching Nighthunter came across the frightened little boy hiding in his bath tub.

{{Nighthunter}} As much as I love kids, I've never been to good at making them feel safe. I'm sure a smile is all I'll need to help this little guy calm down.

The boy scooted further into the tub as Nighthunter approached him.

(Nighthunter) It's alright little dude. I'm gonna get you out of here safely, I promise. You can trust look... I'm a superhero.

Nighthunter pointed to his costume as proof that he wasn't lying which seemed to put the young boy at ease, as Nighthunter noticed his face light up. The child climbed out of the tub and let Nighthunter scoop him up in his arms. The child couldn't have been any older then ten, and appeared to be around 5'6 in height. He desperately held onto Nighthunters cape for dear life as they escaped to the back of the burning building. The boy stared at his savior in astonishment. It was the first time he ever saw a hero in person.

As Nighthunter got a good look at the boy he rescued, he noticed that the boy and something in common with him, even if they boy was to young to realize it yet. He saw how fragile and sensitive the child stood and wished he could do more to help him.

(Nighthunter) What's your name little guy?

(Child) … Jake.

(Nighthunter) Jake, that's a fantastic name. Are you hurt?

(Jake) No I'm okay... Are you Nightwing? You remind me of him

Nighthunter chuckled softly for a moment. He'd never been told that before, but he was quite flattered.

(Nighthunter) No, my names Nighthunter. But I'll take that as a compliment.

Soon the two could hear footsteps heading towards their direction.

(Nighthunter) Listen I don't have much time, but I want to tell you something. When your older and you come to terms with who you are, don't let anyone put you down because of it. There is nothing wrong with you and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Before Jake could respond to the young hero, a series of police officers began to storm the back alley.

(Nighthunter) And that's my cue, Jake. Take care of yourself.

Nighthunter pulled out his crossbow and shot an arrow with a line attached to the end then hoisted himself to the rooftops easily evading the officers. When he looked back down Nighthunter saw the boy smiling back up at him, and he smiled back before disappearing into the shadows.

NEXT ISSUE: Get to know Bombards origin.

AUTHOR NOTES: Nighthunter has been featured in, Titans International, Trouble with the Outlaws, and the Glamour Slam.