DISCLAIMER: I do not own Cass, Nightwing, Tim or anyone else associated with D.C. Do not sue me. Repeat do not sue me. Oh do you want me to say that again? Repeat DO NOT SUE ME. (I think you get the picture) However, I do own Batwraith, so if you sue me for that, well may the wrath of the wraith (and Wolverine) bite you very very hard. (Although in Logan's case, 'May it stab you very ruthlessly' would be more appropriate. )

Author's Notes: This is kinda an AU, because it doesn't really fit into comic continuity. Although to tell the truth, I am not at all thrilled with continuity right now anyway. Apologies in advance for any grammar and spelling mistakes. Please review cause I really DO appreciate it!

Chapter One

The vigilante looked over his city. Bludhaven had been quiet lately. To the masked hero, the city's one and only guardian, quiet was a luxury that he rarely got to enjoy. As the figure sat crouched with his ebony locks blowing in the crisp, harsh, wind, his blue eyes caught movement in a nearby alley. Sighing, Nightwing shook his head. So much for quiet, he thought, oh, well. I was getting fidgety just sitting here, anyway.Gracefully the Blue and black clad hero launched himself in the alley's direction, grinning as he felt the wind smacking him in the face. He LOVED this part! The free fall always filled the hero with unrivaled joy, and he had to keep reminding himself not to scream in ecstasy as he gracefully descended to a roof overlooking the alley.

As the vigilante landed silently, he assessed the situation. Thirty ninjas sat in ambush. At least, they looked like ninjas with their black face masks and colored sashes, not to mention the katanas most of them brandished as they sat in wait.

What they were waiting for was obvious to Nightwing. Ever since Blockbuster had raised the bounty on the vigilante's head a couple million grand that week, the hero had gotten quite a lot of excitement and unwanted vultures on the rooftops during patrol.

These ninjas were waiting for him. He would not disappoint them.

Nightwing crept up to one of the ninjas and hissed, "Looking for me, scum-bucket?" then landed a crushing uppercut to the guy's chin that rendered him senseless. As the other assassins turned toward the vigilante, Nightwing grinned ferally and said, "Be careful what you look for, fellas. You may find it!"

The assassins attacked their prey, only to find that he was no longer on the ground. A crushing blow to the face sent a ninja into one of his comrades and they both fell to the ground senseless. "Or maybe'" Nightwing quipped as he flipped over the shoulders of an assailant to plant his foot in the ribs of the one behind him, "IT may find YOU!!" Using the shoulders of another attacker, Nightwing flipped over his head then used the remaining momentum to launch himself into the air, where he was tackled by the head ninja and brought to the ground with a painful thud.

The two struggled for a while before the ninja pulled out a nun-chuck, hissing, "We've been humiliated enough tonight, vigilante. Now you will pay for your insolence with your life!"

"Let's dance!" Nightwing growled, gesturing his opponent with the 'come get some' hand twitch. The assassin roared in fury and charged, nun chuck spinning. Nightwing ducked and caught the weapon around his leg. Grinning, the natural gymnast did a back hand spring, ripping the weapon out of his opponent's hand. The end was whipped across the mouth of another ninja as Nightwing did a triple kick and the weapon was kicked off. "That won't make your boss happy once he finds out he's gotta pay for your braces!" The vigilante said dryly before wiping the floor with the would-be assassins that were still conscious.

After all his attackers were safely secured, Bludhaven's hero decided to call it a night. As he swung on his jump-line, again savoring the feeling of being totally free of gravity, another movement caught Nightwing's eye. This time, the vigilante smiled in recognition. He knew who it was. He grinned mischievously as he descended, preparing to grab the intruder by the waist. He thought that for once, his target would not notice him as he noiselessly swooped down. He thought he had outsmarted his prey.

He was rewarded with a sock to his jaw that landed him in a heap at his quarry's booted feet.

"Got you."

". . . "

"Fifth time."

". . . "

"Your place. Talk. Now."

"Ouch." Came the reply as Nightwing picked himself off the ground and rubbed his jaw. The two crime fighters leaped in the air, firing their jump-lines and swinging off into the night.

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Cassandra Cain sat in wait as her colleague, Dick Grayson a.k.a. Nightwing, switched clothes from his 'night suit' to a t-shirt and navy blue sweatpants. Cass had already changed into a black pair of sweats, and was currently the sole occupant of the couch that sat in Dick's small apartment. The current Batgirl found it frustrating that Nightwing had to bathe before she could give him her urgent news, and said as much when Dick joined her on the sofa.

"Could have taken shower later."

"It's part of my routine. Come home, take a shower, then collapse on my bed and sleep the sleep of the dead for three hours. Force of habit. "

"Took too long. Need to talk NOW."

Dick chuckled to himself, then looked at the way the newest addition of the Bat Clan was gazing at her hands. Something was wrong.

"So, talk, Girl Wonder. You punched me in the face for what, exactly? I mean, besides the fact that you seem pretty tense. What's bugging you?"

"Is the Wraith. In Gotham. On rampage."

The realization hit Dick like a train. Batwraith in Gotham? That means...Oh No!

"Cass, where's Bruce?!"

"Batman is fine."Cassandra assured him.

Dick's heart slowed down and his body relaxed in relief. The relief lasted for about ten seconds before Cass's next few words shook his emotions out of control.

"Is Robin who went down. Was the Joker."

Dick tasted bile in his throat. Tim had taken on the Joker before. What had gone wrong this time?

" Joker was waiting for him. Took him out with exploding chicken. Robin stunned. Joker beat him with chair leg. Mentioned Jason." Cass hung her head in shame as she mumbled the next few sentences to a mournfull Dick Grayson.

"I..was too late. Didn't catch Joker."

"And Tim?" Dick asked shakilly.

"Tim is...in coma. can't wake him."

Dick stood up and grabbed his uniform and motioned for Cassandra to do the same. Once they were dressed, Nightwing and Batgirrl ran to the garage andinto the secret passageway that led to where the Nightbird was hidden. Punching numerouse commands into the control console, Nightwing gritted his teeth in barely suppressed rage and growled, "You got lucky last time clown, but your Robin slaying days are OVER! You will NOT take Robin THIS time, Joker!" He put his foot on the gas hard, making Cassandra sqweal as she was slammed into her seat, and the two were headed for Gotham City.

"Not this time!"

TO BE CONTINUED!! If you liked THIS one, just wait, there's more! Review and tell me what you think!