Heroes of the Night
A few months after his 18th birthday and evolving from Robin to Nightwing, Richard Grayson decides to move to Jump City to make a name for himself. He attends his senior year of high school and meets the warm and quiet Kori Anders. As their friendship grows, so does a new villain. Nightwing will stop at nothing to contain this villain before it wreaks havoc within Jump City, but there's one problem . . . what does this have to do with Kori Anders?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans, or any DC Comics or Warner Bros. material.
Author's Note: Hello, everyone! As you can see, my name is IxionWings (smiles sheepishly and rubs the back of my neck). So, this is my first fanfiction story, I hope you all will like it. But I don't expect every single one of you to do so, which is completely fine with me, I respect your judgment or opinion.
Warning: Contains mild language.
Enjoy! ~ IxionWings
Chapter 1: Decision
Shattered glass were scattered across the floor. He had a few mild scrapes and cuts on his face. His black hair was slightly disheveled with tiny pieces of glass nesting in his head. He began to hear the faint sirens of the police coming to the crime scene. He quickly tied up the two idiot robbers and left them near the double glass doors of the bank for the police to pick them up. Afterwards, he shot his grappling hook to the roof of the building in front of the bank and watched the scene below with masked eyes.
"Chief!" one of the young policemen called.
"Yeah, Mike?"
"Looks like he got'em good, sir."
The Chief smiled and scoffed, "He just wraps'em up 'n giv'em to us like a present." He chuckled heartily while shaking his head, "That Nightwing."
On the roof top, he grinned.
His name is Nightwing.
August 26, 2011. Friday, 9:00 p.m. Wayne Manor, Gotham City.
"You can do this, Dick. You're just nervous about his reaction . . . yeah, that's it," he muttered to himself as he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. With shaking fingers, he reached towards the doorknob of Bruce's bedroom but withdrew his hand swiftly and wiped sweaty hands on his jeans. "Fuck," he mumbled.
"Having a hard time telling Master Bruce, Master Dick?" He spun around and saw his butler, and surrogate father, Alfred, ask with a fatherly smile.
"Uh, yeah," Richard replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck – a habit that indicated he was nervous or embarrassed.
"I am sure he will understand if you wish to take this step. Do not be afraid, Dick. No matter what, he is your father. Although Master Bruce may have trouble portraying his feelings, he cares very deeply about you," Alfred patted his shoulder and fussed around with the white collar of Richard's dress shirt.
A tint of pink rose in his cheeks, "Sorry, I was in a rush," he replied sheepishly again, then he thought about Alfred's words and a relieved grin spurred on his handsome face. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Alfred. For everything," he said softly and hugged him.
Alfred slightly staggered back, surprised by the young master's gesture, but smiled nonetheless, and hugged him back as well.
The bedroom door opened and Bruce leaned against the door frame, wearing a white shirt and gray sweatpants. Crossing his arms, he said in a serious tone, "I heard noises. What's going on?"
Richard released Alfred's embrace and turned to Bruce, staring at him straight in the eye, "I've come to a decision. Ever since I took the switch, I've been thinking about this for a couple of months. I'm eighteen now and Robin will always be Batman's sidekick. But Robin is mine, I created him. And I want you to respect that and whoever will take the name, just as long as you inform me who."
He took a deep breath and continued, "I'm leaving. I want to make a name for myself, just like Batman is to Gotham. The reason why I'm here right now, in front of your bedroom, is because I wanted to ask permission if you would let me go on my own."
Alfred gave a smirk and Bruce stared at Richard for a long time. After what seemed like hours, a rare smile formed his face and held out his hand to his son for a shake, "I'm proud of you, Dick."
As those five words sank in, Richard felt like ten thousand elephants were weighed out of his shoulders. He grinned back, "Thanks, Dad," and took his hand. Surprisingly, Bruce pulled his arm and enveloped him in a fatherly hug.
"Now that that's done . . . get your ass out of my Manor."
August 28, 2011. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Wayne Manor, Gotham City.
Richard spent all day yesterday packing up all his personal things and belongings. Alfred helping greatly with a checklist of his things: clothes, toothbrush, assortment of shades, etc. It was amusing to see Alfred fussing around and a silent comical Bruce watching them from the corner of his eye.
As his last baggage was packed in the private Wayne jet, Alfred turned to Richard. "You are always welcome at the Manor, Master Dick. We shall miss you greatly. And do not hesitate to give us a call whenever you are in need of something."
"Look at it this way, Al. You won't have to badger me on cleaning my room and picking up my bath towels off the floor," Richard teased and he earned a playful glare from Alfred.
"Yes, indeed, a pest out of my hands," he chuckled.
Richard smiled and hugged him again, "Thanks again, Alfred. Bye, Old Man!" he waved at him, receiving a bat glare, and the rest of the household staff. The flight attendant closed the door of the jet and asked if he would like some refreshments. He replied with a, "No, thank you."
He then leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and rested his head, mumbling to himself, "Jump City . . ."
Author's Note: Oh, I am so excited to write the next chapter. So, how did you like the first chapter? Reviews would be really awesome :D Stay tuned for the next chapter. ~ IxionWings