Endings

Epilogue: A Beginning

Tim Drake read about how his heroes' bodies were found dumped in a river and he learned their true identities along with the rest of Gotham City. However, he could never bring himself to see the pictures of the bodies or read too much about the personal lives of Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, or Barbara Gordon. He turned off the TV when Commissioner Gordon lost his composure when giving a speech in honor of the men and his beloved daughter.

Tim leaned out a window and let a slight, comforting breeze interrupt his grief. A scream, in turn, interrupted his trance. On the alley below, Tim saw a man trying to mug a woman. Two other men walking by noticed the incident and confronted the man, who ran away without stealing anything.

Tim was relieved that heroism remained in Gotham City, but he knew that what Gotham had was insufficient for the challenges that lied ahead.


Alfred was taking trash out when Tim approached him.

"Hello, Mr. Pennyworth," Tim said in the shadows.

"I've already explained that all the equipment here have been transferred to the police," Alfred said, sounding tired. "There's nothing left to see."

"I saw that on the news. One of the reporters even gave a list of items the police have, but there's a lot missing. I'm assuming that the police will hold some of it back and the reporters can't go over everything, but I'm also guessing that you kept some things."

Tim sighed at Alfred's silence.

"I'm not a curious kid trying to take a look through Batman's tools for fun. I'm trying to follow in his footsteps, and Robin's and Batgirl's. They were my heroes. Gotham needs someone to replace them. I want to try, but I need help, your help."

"Who are you?"

Tim stepped into the light, revealing a tight yellow outfit with black boots, gloves, belt, and cape. A pair of thin dark brown lines ran down Tim's shoulders and stopped at his belt. "I'm Tim Drake, but Gotham City will call me Hornet."

"Hornet?"

"You don't like it?"

"Well . . ."

"I wanted to name myself something that can fly, like Batman and Robin, but different."

"Very well. Come in, I'll show you what you can have."

Alfred led Tim into Wayne Manor, encouraged by a boy that reminded him so much of Robin.


The end. Thanks for reading.