Chapter 2

Three years later, Nightwing sat on the roof of the old parking lot in southern Bludhaven. This place should've been knocked down years ago, but it still remained standing. The warm June breeze tussled the leaves of the few trees that the city council allowed to remain. Nightwing was listening to the radio.

"Three days have passed since the disappearance of Gotham City reporter Vicki Vale," the male reporter said. "Despite the efforts of the Gotham police and the Batman, she has not been found. Vale was last seen in her office on Tuesday after being assigned an interview with Rupert Thorne, who left town around the time Vale disappeared."

Nightwing shut off the radio. That was what he had been investigating. And the evidence he collected had lead him here. He walked to the edge of the roof. He did a flip and then landed perfectly on the ledge of the floor below the roof. He looked around and saw a large group of people. He quickly ducked behind a concrete pillar. He poked his head around to see.

Black Mask stood overlooking a drug trade. His empty sockets watched every second as his men unloaded crates and set them down in front of the buyer, Rupert Thorne. Just beyond the buy, Nightwing spotted Vale, tied to a metal post.

Nightwing sneaked around the buy to Vale. He approaches her and she finally sees. He puts his finger to his lips, but she had already cried out to him. Black Mask's men turned and saw Nightwing.

"Get him!" Black Mask ordered. The men attacked as Thorne and Black Mask escape in their cars. Nightwing was able to hold off the dealers for a while, but eventually became over powered. They grabbed his arms and forced him to his knees. Then one of them pulled a gun out and held it inches from Nightwing's forehead.

Before he could pull the trigger he was distracted by the loud sound of an engine. They all turned and saw a girl on a motorcycle pull into the parking lot. The girl jumped off and stood before them in a costume very similar to Nightwing's. Her long brown hair was tied into a high ponytail. She glared at them through her mask.

"Let him go," she said forcefully.

"Well, well," the man with the gun said amused, "look what we have here. Nightwing, you never told us you had a girlfriend."

"I said, let him go."

"Or what?"

The girl took a step closer. "Or I'll make you regret ever touching him."

The man with the gun stepped away from Nightwing. He laughed. "Well come on then. Show us what you've got."

Nightwing and the girl locked eyes. He seemed to think he recognized her, but he couldn't be sure. She smiled at him, then turned back to the man.

"I'm glad you asked." She lifted her arm and motioned them to come at her. They charged. The girl flipped over them and landed by Nightwing. She hit the two men holding Nightwing down. The shock caused them to loosen their grip and Nightwing broke free. He took out the two guys as the girl turned to take on more. Together, they took them all down, each able to keep up with each other. After the last man went down, Nightwing turned to the girl.

"Um, thanks. And you are?"

"The name's Nightshade."

"Nightshade? Like the poison?"

"I guess. It sounded cool. By the way, you wouldn't happen to be looking for a new protégé would you?"

Nightwing looked at her confused. Then he shook his head. "No. Sorry but I work alone."

Nightshade crossed her arms. "Might I remind you I did save your butt just now."

"And I thank you. But now please go home." Nightwing turns to walk away. Nightshade watches him. "I have the names of all Black Mask's buyers. Including one who goes by the name of Red Hood."

Nightwing looked back at her. "How do you know that?"

"You're not the only one who likes to play detective. I know that Red Hood recently came to Bludhaven, around the same time Black Mask did. I'm not sure if he's a buyer, but I do know they have an interesting history."

"And how long have you been crime fighting?"

"Three years ago, a hero saved me from a madman. Ever since that day, I've been training myself to fight, to solve mysteries, and I've dedicated my extra time to helping people, in hopes of one day joining the hero who saved me."

Nightwing felt his gut twist. He knew this girl. How could he forget her? "Alyssa?"