1 year after Invasion

Nightwing looked over the evidence again, stress looming over him. He could not piece the strange crimes happening around the cities. There was no pattern or significant evidence that could link each crime to one person. For all he knew, it was various villains...but something struck him odd. The person, or persons under the crimes were attacking incognito. The attacks were in random places and not near public eye. The most significant analysis was that the crimes were all against people the Justice League associated with. People he knew personally.

It's been a year since the invasion, since his leave of absence as team leader, and since...his best friend's sacrifice. Too drown the despair, he busied himself with solo missions and many hours of investigations. He hadn't talked or seen any of his friends and fellow teammates; he knew they had been trying to contact him but he had no intention of returning for a while. He didn't know he could ever lead a team again and accept another death in his hands, even though Wally's was his own sacrifice. Nightwing couldn't help but guilt himself into thinking he could have done something to prevent it.

Suddenly, his computer began flashing a bright red dot on the map toggle. Nightwing turned off his thoughts for the night and narrowed his eyes at the screen. It was another attack on the Pier, blocks away from where he was. Nightwing downloaded the coordinates to his communicator and left the building towards his motorcycle.

He climbed onto the top of a harbor warehouse to get the full view of the perimeter. He saw nothing in every direction. He re-checked his coordinates, but they indicated he was where he should be. He frowned and started down the metal stairs. As he made his way down the harbor he heard grunting and signs of struggle. He stalked around the pier until he caught sight of a man and women engaging in battle. He easily identified the male as the attacker as he violently swung his nunchaku at the girl who helplessly swung her katanna at him, missing every time. Nightwing lingered his eyes on the girl as he puzzled over her, she was holding back.

The attacker threw a smoke bomb before Nightwing could run and assist the girl. White fog filled the surrounding area, blinding the individual from seeing no more than a couple of inches. Nightwing crawled on the floor to get out of the smothering fog. He silenced his urge to gag and cough and tried backing towards the roof again. Before he could reach the stairs the fog lifted as rapidly as it had ascended. The only thing left on the ground was a bloody battered girl, a knife sticking from the side of her stomach. Nightwing ran towards her to check if she was still alive, after moments, he detected the slightest rise and fall of her chest.

"You are going to be okay now." He soothed as he gently carried her out into the darkness of Bludhaven.

xxxx

The girl groaned ever so slightly and Nightwing turned to glance at the sleeping figure in his own covers. If only Wally could see it now. He could hear his voice and playful tone saying, "You dog." Nightwing turn his chair and faced her sleeping form. His hands caressed his chin as he thoughtfully analyzed her. She seemed to be around his age, maybe a year or two younger than him. However, she did not look helpless at all, despite her small figure.

When he brought her into his apartment and removed the knife, he discovered just how much she had fought. Apparently she stopped the knife from mortal wounds, not to mention how quickly her breath had evened within the hour. Strange it seemed to the protege.

Nevertheless, he took care of her until slowly she began gaining strength and on the third night she opened her eyes. Big and brown. Nightwing smiled down at her until she began screaming and tumbled out of the bed. She grasped the end of the sheets and pulled them towards her body. Nightwing knew what she meant by that action and vigorously shook his hands and head.

"No, no you got the wrong idea-"

"What have you done to me? Get away from me." She back away to the farthest corner. When she attempted to crawl up she howled in pain and grasped her side gasping. Nightwing rushed to her side as she rolled on the floor cringing. He took her by the waist and guided her back to the bed.

"I'm sorry I've startled you, but you've been injured. Don't try moving, you could open your wounds again." He said. The girl seemed to calm down and rested back onto the pillow, watching his every move, his every flex of a muscle.

Nightwing knew she was watching him closely, and it made him weary of her. He recognized the analytical face, his adopted father had it every time he was learning the moves of his enemies. He stepped towards her, letting her it was alright. She sighed and relaxed, slightly.

"I'm Ebony." She said.

"I'm Nightwing." He responded. They nodded to each other showing some respect...some.

xxxx

After a year, Mount Justice was officially re-built. The young superheroes were adorning their new headquarters. It was an exact replica of the old building, with some new adjustments in security. For the newest members without families, they got assigned their dorms. With Aqualad in charge, the team returned to being mellow and with his carefulness and fear that anyone might end up like Wally and Tula, he resigned to keeping the team as protected as he could. At least until Nightwing had the strength to return.

"Kaldur, we have a message...from Nightwing." Robin said, coming into the training room. Beastboy and Superboy stop mid training session and walked over to the second Boy Wonder.

Kaldur walked in and headed to the three confused leaguers. Robin pressed play and their new screen turned staticky before clearing up and showing a familiar face.

"Nightlong reporting in." The youn man said looking straight into the camera. "Earlier today as I was investigating the series of multiple crimes I am positive you've heard of, I came into combat...well more like witnessed a combat between the attacker I believe to me the culprit of the crimes. I managed to rescue the victim...but I'm still investigating her." Nightwing paused and looked behind at something on his bed.

"I am dropping by sometime this week with the girl so the league can take over. Nightwing out." The screen went back to a black static. The four leaguers looked at each other and then at Aqualad.

"Call Batman."