Chapter 1
The old townhouse was surrounded by police cars, flashing their blue lights. It was a cold night in Bludhaven. No stars could be seen and the night threatened to grow even colder.
Inside the townhouse, the blue lights fill the room. A girl of about 13 years was huddled in the corner of the room. Her hands were tied and her mouth taped shut. She tried to call out to the police but all that came out were muffled sounds.
There was a man standing by the window, gazing amusingly at the police cars. He turned and flashed a yellow toothed smile at the girl. Her whole body tensed.
"I'm sorry, did you want them to come in here?" Joker asked. "You see, that's the thing with Gotham's finest dearie. They just don't know how to handle a hostage situation."
The Joker laughs. From above, he suddenly hears footsteps. His smile vanishes but he processes the sound and the grin reappears on his face. He runs over to the girl. He kneels down and puts one hand on her head and squeezes her cheeks with the other.
"Did you hear that? I bet you its Batsy! Come to save the day yet again! This is going to be so much fun!"
The girl looks behind Joker as a dark figure comes crashing through the window. The figure stands and crosses his arms. He looks at the girl, who stares at him in awe. Although she couldn't see them, she could've sworn his eyes were staring into hers. He didn't look that much older than her. Maybe 15, 16. His black hair swished in front of his mask. His costume was mostly black with a dark blue line starting in a "V" form on his chest then extending down both arms to his fingers. This boy needed no introduction, but Joker felt like giving him one anyway.
"Awww Nightwing?" he said disappointed. "You're no fun." Joker frowned.
"Cut the crap Joker," Nightwing said firmly. "You're not fun either."
"Says who? I'm the Clown Prince of Crime." Joker bowed. He lifted his head and smiled at Nightwing. "What's not to love?"
"How did you get out of Arkham?"
"The same way I always do. Through the front door." Joker laughed as though it was the funniest joke on the planet. Nightwing just stared at him.
"So are you going to fight me boy blunder or are you going to stand there and wait for me to laugh to death?"
"I'd have to ask my father about that." Nightwing leaned so he was looking out the door behind Joker into the hall. "What do you think?" he called.
Joker turned the same direction Nightwing was looking. Batman had appeared in the door. Joker smiled. "Ah Batman. You finally ca-" Before Joker could finish, Batman punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor and apparently out cold.
"He's really annoying," Batman muttered.
Nightwing cracked a smile then went to the girl. She untied her and pulled the tape away from her mouth. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," the girl said, a little out of breath. "Fine. Thanks."
"Did the Joker want anything from you?"
"No, he just-"
"He's the Joker, Nightwing," Batman interrupted. He's unpredicatable. But he's going back to Arkham where he belongs." Nightwing turned to give Batman a disapproving look, but Batman had vanished.
"Just leave me to throw out the trash," he muttered looking at Joker. He helped the girl to her feet. "And your name is?"
"Alyssa Connors."
"Well, Ms. Connors, I believe it's time to get you home." Nightwing starts to lead her out of the room when Joker suddenly popped up and grabbed her from behind, choking her.
Nightwing grabbed his Eskrima, twin fighting, sticks. Joker pulled out a knife and held it to Alyssa's throat. In one swift movement, Nightwing hit Joker's hand that was holding the knife with one Eskrima and then using the other to knock the Joker in the head. The knife hit the floor with a clank and Joker slumped to the ground. Alyssa fell toward Nightwing. He caught her and continued outside.
The front door of the townhouse opened. The police readied their weapons, expecting Joker. Instead, Nightwing was leading the hostage to safety. A couple of paramedics rushed toward her and put a blanket around her. They tried to lead her away from Nightwing, but he wouldn't let them, so he walked with them to the ambulance.
"What happened in there, son?" Commissioner Gordon asked as he approached Nightwing.
"You're a little far from home aren't you Commish?" Nightwing asked.
"Someone told me Batman was in Bludhaven. Then I heard about Joker. I had to come."
Nighwing nodded. "Joker's inside ready for his ride back to Arkham. And you might want to heighten the security again." Gordon nodded and took a squad inside the building. Nightwing turned back to Alyssa. "They'll make sure you get home safely. Just be careful. This town may turn into the new Gotham."
"Thank you Nightwing," Alyssa said.
Nightwing nodded at her and disappeared back into the darkness. Alyssa jumped up and looked around just in time to see his silhouette run across the roof.