A/N: So, here's my Nightwing story. Technically, it's the sequel to Something to Be Thankful For, although I am trying to write it to be read on its own. Let me know how I do with that.

DISCLAIMER: As epic as it would be, I do not own Nightwing. Although I am VERY curious as to how he fits into the Death of The Family comic arc that's currently coming out. I'm going to collect every issue as they come out.


Chapter 1—The Flames of Hell

Nightwing crouched on a ledge looking out across the grimy city. It had been five months since the incident in Gotham, and ever since Sal Viscone got locked up on Thanksgiving, there had been a lull in crime. Not that that was a bad thing, but Nightwing was getting bored. He had hardly seen any action since Thanksgiving, and ever since that one bonding moment between Jason and the rest of the family, the second Robin had been even more aloof than usual.

Nightwing turned and ran across the ledge, flipped over an alley, and landed on the roof of a run-down apartment building. He ran across it when he heard police sirens heading in his direction. The wind changed and he smelled smoke. He turned and saw smoke rising from an apartment building a few blocks over. The sirens from the fire trucks reached his ears.

Nightwing ran back across the rooftops before descending to the pavement two buildings away. The head was intense, and Nightwing began to sweat where he stood under his costume. He ran over to one of the police officers. "Is anyone still inside?"

"Yeah," the officer said. Dick didn't recognize him. "There're still some kids inside."

Nightwing nodded and shot a grapple line to the top of the building. The fire was huge, so he had no idea how long the structure would last. It would be better to work from the top down.

The heat was even more intense inside the building. Flames surrounded him, and Nightwing was given a grim picture of what hell must be like. His sharp ears strained to hear any noise that might rise over the crackle of the flames, but there was nothing. He began a quick but systematic and thorough search of the building.

Finally, three floors down, he heard the frightened screams of a little girl. Nightwing rammed his shoulder into a closed door, feeling the heat through the wood, and burst into a flame-engulfed room. A little girl no older than seven huddled under a glass and metal table crying and screaming. Nightwing ran through the flames and grabbed her, tucking her close to his body. He ran back into the hall. There was a crack from above him, and Nightwing dove forward into a roll, narrowly avoiding the collapsing ceiling. This only caused the girl to scream louder.

There was a blown-out window ahead of him, with a fire fighter visible through the flames. Nightwing dashed towards him and handed the girl through the window.

"You need to get out," he said.

"I have to get everyone else out," Nightwing replied.

"Check the next floor down," the fire fighter said. "The bottom three floors are empty."

Nightwing nodded and ran off, flipping over a flaming fallen beam. He searched through but found no one. The building shook around him, and the whole front end of the building caved in, successfully blocking his exit. With no way down, Nightwing began to go up, hoping to find a way out through the roof. The building continued to collapse as Nightwing reached the fifth floor, causing him to become increasingly creative about his escape route. Finally, inevitably, he was met with a complete dead end.

The ceiling above him cracked and a large piece fell on top of him, trapping his legs. Nightwing could feel the flames creeping up his costume, getting closer and closer to his face. Although his costume was fireproof, his head was not, and Nightwing was about to become birdie-barbeque.

Nightwing twisted around so he could reach his legs. After a combination of wriggling and pushing, he was free, although not without injury. His costume had torn through his lower left leg, and the limb was badly burnt and bleeding.

He was completely boxed in, and with no way out, Nightwing was forced to attempt to make his way through the flames. He raised his arm to protect his face and ran forward as best he could with his injured leg. Nightwing felt the flames begin to burn his face and was convinced that this was what hell must truly feel like. He did not envy the poor souls trapped in eternal punishment.

After what seemed like an eternity, Nightwing could swear he saw freedom. After a few more seconds, Nightwing was hit with a blast of water. Surprise forced him to cry out and his lungs were filled with water. Nightwing struggled, unable to breathe, against the impenetrable wall until finally his strength failed him and he fell into darkness.


A/N: Well, what do y'all think? (No, I'm not from the South, but I do say "y'all") Please, please, review!

~Red~