Disclaimer: I do not own Nightwing or any of the other characters in this story. No money is being made off of this. It's strictly for entertainment.

This is the next phase in the End of Nightwing storyline. Feedback would be greatly appreciated! *grin*

End of Nightwing 3 - Rebirth

Prologue

2053

"Wayne Manor, Michael Pennyworth speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hi, Michael! This is Dick. Is Bruce around?" Dick asked as he dangled from the trapeze by his legs.

"Master Dick, how wonderful it is to hear from you again. Master Bruce is downstairs, reviewing some old files. I'd be happy to transfer you down there, sir." Michael replied with an almost audible frown in his voice as spoke.

"What's he obsessing over this time, Michael?" Dick queried as he dropped to the ground.

"I'm not quite sure, sir. He's kept rather to himself this past week while Miss Selina is in London."

"Well, let me try to get it out of him. You never know, miracles have happened." Dick said with a laugh.

"Indeed, Master Dick. Such as both you AND Master Bruce being successfully wedded despite my uncle's worries. One moment, Master Dick."

Dick winced theatrically for Donna's benefit as she laughed and Michael transferred him to the phone in the Cave.

"Hello, Dick. Yes, Selina and I will be at the charity performance. Thomas and Lauren won't be, but Selina and Cassandra will be. Bruce has a camping trip scheduled that he's been waiting to go on for about three months. That answer all your questions, son?" Bruce said as he continued to type.

"Some things never change, do they Bruce? However, for the world's greatest detective, you missed a couple of obvious questions. Such as: How are you and what are you working on that has you growling like the old days?" Dick asked as he and Donna walked back to their trailer.

Bruce leaned back in his chair, an almost smirk on his face as he looked over towards the speaker phone, "I'm grumpy or hadn't you noticed? For someone who is supposedly the worlds second greatest detective, you're awfully slow on the uptake."

Donna laughed as Dick shook his head, "Ok, I think some psychic someone predicted you getting a sense of humor as a sign of the coming apocalypse, Bruce. What's going on?"

Bruce sighed as he answered, "Allow me to put it this way, Dick. My granddaughters are showing rather poor taste in boyfriends. Selina is dating Aaron Kent of all people! Cassandra is showing slightly better taste by dating Tim's grandson Terry, but the boy already has a police record. And grandson Bruce is dating some girl who apparently lives on the streets."

Bruce leaned forward, speaking almost directly into the phone, his voice rising, "And on top of all of that, some street gang is basing themselves on that madman, the Joker!"

Dick shook his head as Donna opened the door to the trailer, "They're using the Joker as a role model? Damn, that is messed up. Look on the bright side, Bruce. It's a bunch of street punks. The cops will have them rounded up in no time."

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The five leaders of the different chapters of the gang entered the room nervously, their garish clothing contrasting with the dust and cobwebs in the room. The light at the head of the table shone in their direction, leaving the figure sitting behind it nothing more than a shadow.

"Sit down, my friends," came from the shadow, the suppressed laughter under the words made them shiver as they sat down. "We are gathered here today to finalize the birth of a new force in this grimy little city. For six months the Gotham police have labeled us as malcontents, punks, street thugs, and troubled youths." He stopped, laughing to himself.

"Are you a troubled youth, Tearful Tony?"

Tony shook in his chair, the look on his face matching the pitifully sad clown makeup covering his true appearance. "Umm, yeah…I guess so, boss."

The figure stood, leaning forward, his hands resting on the table, his purple fingerless gloves a brightly colored contrast to his pale fingers. "And why are you troubled, my dear boy? Hmmm?"

Tony swallowed nervously as he replied, "Because I want my fair share from this city and they want to beat me down. It's depressing, boss."

"Tut tut, my boy! Rest assured that in the coming weeks, we will give the city of Gotham more 'trouble' than they've imagined in decades. I promise you that." With that, he leaned forward into the light, his face shockingly pale under his green hair, his red lips curved upwards in a smile more malevolent than joyful. "This city will be OURS!"

He sat back down in his chair, his hands remaining on the table as he looked at each one of them. "Now, my dear friends, I do have some depressing news. One of our number has, alas, decided to wend his merry way back onto the straight and narrow and BETRAY US!"

The members of the group looked at each other. They were nervous now … more than just nervous … not knowing who their leader meant, praying that he didn't think it was him or her. Except for one, one who knew exactly who was being referred to and was just praying to live.

The man behind the light stood again, coming to his full height, looking down at his follows as he began to walk around the table. "We have an apostate, my friends. And when I discover the foul creature..." he trailed off as he smiled down at them, gently patting each of them on the back as he encouraged them, listening to what they threatened to do to the foul traitor who would betray them.

"Oh hold on just a moment! I already do know," he cackled maniacally as he leaped up onto the table, the eyes of his followers following his every move. "'Goodbye, cruel world! I go to a far better place.' Or some rubbish like that. Wait a second, I just remembered. I'm not the one going anywhere."

His eyes narrowed as he looked down at the burly figure of Ripper, his expression one of utter hatred which with startling ease changed to an angelic smile as he sniffed the scent from the white carnation on his jacket lapel. "Goodbye, Ripper."

Ripper started to jump out of his chair, but stopped as electricity began coursing through his body from a small pin on the back of his jacket. He shook violently, practically cooking, as the others scattered away from the table. He stood over Ripper, looking down, laughing as he watched Ripper slowly die.

After Ripper stopped moving, aside from the occasional twitch, he jumped off of the table and bowed to his audience…then glared at them until they applauded.

"My friends, make ready. For tomorrow we go to the circus!"

tbc