Confrontation of the Deadly Sort

When the Joker had made promises that he would make up for the missed opportunity regarding Bruce Wayne. Everyone assumed that Wayne Industries would be the target. The clown never backs down out of promises or threats he makes. He never shows mercy, pity, sympathy, and never regards the wellbeing of another individual. Quite frankly, I had been waiting for the opportunity to fight him. I wanted to have another reason to wring my hands around his neck and end his reign of terror on Gotham once and for all. I waited at the tower all day and most of the night for a week hoping for something to happen. Hoping for him to show up.

I never anticipated… I never even considered the possibility that The Joker would take a different approach and attack the main grounds. Home. Wayne Manor. Its not like Wayne Manor is a hidden location or hard to get to but for some reason, in my mind, it has always been this untouched place. For some reason the criminals in Gotham City had always avoided the place from their robberies or whatever other nonsense. The first sign of trouble came when I tried calling Alfred up and he didn't answer the phone.

It's rare that he misses a call but I settled on the fact that he was out doing an errand or actually taking time for himself to relax. I don't recall ever seeing the old guy ever actually taking time off from work. When I got back to the manor; however, the front door was busted open and red spray paint covered the door. Inside looked like a complete and utter mess with things smashed, broken. Joker paid a visit and probably turned the place into his own funhouse in less than two hours.

None of that mattered; however, because I could feel my heart in my throat as I scavenged the entire manor looking for Alfred and calling out the butler's name. In near hysteria I almost missed the only thing that seemed untouched by the Joker and his thugs. It happened to be something so obviously placed by him as well. A small box wrapped up with a ribbon tied to it as well. I've seen enough of Joker's presents to know better than to simply open it. I brought it down to the only place Joker didn't get into or discover: The Bat Cave.

It might have bothered me for being the first time since my arrival in Gotham City to be in the cave but more pressing and important matters took precedence over my discomfort. The need to find Alfred. I used the familiar tools Batman taught me to use to open the box without harm. For once it wasn't rigged but it did contain a message inside in the form of a DVD. I popped it into the computer and waited for the video to load.

The Joker came into the view, most of his frame blocking out the majority of the image. As he stepped to the side I felt my hopes crush as I catch sight of Alfred, unconscious or dead, being hauled off by two of Joker's thugs. The Joker turns toward the camera with a smile and approaches.

"Hello to whom it concern! Who IS in charge of the man-child's manor now that he's kicked the can, I wonder? Do you know how uninteresting it is to come to a billionaire's home only to find one person working it? Where's all the maids, the butlers, well… aside from baldy. Where's… oh what's his name…"

The Joker took a moment to think of the name.

"Ah yes! Richard Grayson. I hear he's taking charge of things. Well let me formally welcome you to the playing field. Can I call you Dick? Why yes, I think so. See that? Already on a friendly basis. I can tell we're going to be GREAT pals! Oh, sorry about baldy, he was uncooperative so we had to… well.. take him for the time being. SO!"

The Joker claps his hands and walks away from the camera until his entire form is visible.

"I decided to redecorate. It seemed a bit dreary. Didn't Wayne have any sense of style? All the blacks, the bleak tones of grays, wooo someone needed to brighten that guy's day up. Oh, I guess it's too late for that, oh well. SO! I made it more lively there."

The rest of the video wasn't much different. Joker prattled on about Bruce and how he needed to knock alongside the head or an interior decorator. It was about five minutes of nonsense until the Joker gave the address on where to find Alfred if I wanted him back. That's the thing about the Joker, he usually only takes survivors if only to make things interesting or entertaining on his end. Alfred is alive, or was when they carried him off, and the Joker likely expects someone to contact the police and then the police to contact The Batman in response to it all. Fortunately, there was no need but the Joker was going to be sorely disappointed when I get there.

It's been awhile, but after a short phone call for backup, I head back to the room I was using. Inside didn't look much better. Apparently they decided to take a whole can of paint and simply dump it on the bed. I ignored it for now and searched underneath the bed and pulled out my suitcase. Fortunately they hadn't found the suitcase and discovered my suit inside of it. I donned the Nightwing outfit; I'm not going in as The Batman because I'm still not settled on that idea yet. I grabbed a few antidotes for Joker toxin as well. There's no telling whether or not Alfred would need it or not.

I was out long before my backup got into place.

'Nightwing, come in.'

"I hear you Oracle."

'What's your location?'

"At destination."

I was already at the address but I hadn't gone in yet. I was scouting the area looking for thugs and possible entryways. It's already late into the evening so the night would give me a natural cover but there's not telling what it will be like inside the complex. It was an old apartment building that was no longer being used. The windows are boarded up; although some looked to have fallen off over time.

'What's the situation look like'

"No signs of activity. I'm moving in."

'Careful'

I didn't need to be told that. I moved to the fire escape attached to the side of the building. I landed soft enough to make the least amount of noise possible before moving to one of the windows on the second floor. I listened for movement of any kind; anything that would tell me that someone is inside the building. I almost stepped away until I heard footsteps. It sounded like someone patrolling the halls. They walked pass the room I'm sitting outside of and it's not until the distant footfalls are completely quieted that I decide to make my move.

"I'm going in. Do you have a layout of this complex?" I take out a tool from my belt and cut the boards.

'I will in a second… Got it. Four floors, approximately five rooms per floor. Any guess to which they will be holding Alred?'

"No. But I'm going to work on the first floor. Hold on, I might get a lead after all." Once I'm inside I move across the empty room to the doorway leading to the hall. Whoever had been walking outside of the room was coming back and once they were passing the room I moved like I was trained to. Grabbing them from the shadows, disarming them, and bending them to my mercy on the floor.

"Sh-shit." It's definitely one of the Joker's thugs. Removing the mask doesn't improve the ugly bastard's looks any either.

"Where's the old man?"

"Screw you."

I press my knee into his throat. "Where is he?"

"I ain't telling you anything."

This time a punch to the face is his reward. Another one quickly follows and before I know what the hell is going on, I'm sitting there pummeling the guy. I likely would have continued had it not been for Oracle insistently calling for my attention.

'Nightwing, Nightwing! RICHARD STOP!'

A couple of deep breaths and I'm calming down enough. The thug is whimpering and looks far worse than moments ago if the blood covering his face is any indication. I've always complained to Bruce how brutal he can be when he interrogates someone but this…

I get off of him but grab the thug by the collar to haul him to his feet. I look him dead in the eye, "Where?" One last time but I manage to give enough meaning to the word of what could possibly happen next if I don't get the information I need.

"F-first floor. Room three."

"Are you lying?"

"No! Please don't hit me again." A quick strike to the back of his head renders him unconscious.

After taking care of two guards on the first floor, I found the room that was directed. I didn't immediately go in. Training and past experience has taught me to never go in without triple checking everything when it's the Joker. It's not until I'm thoroughly convinced the door is safe that I finally lock picked the door open. The thug hadn't been lying when he said Alfred would be in room three but he could have mentioned that the old timer didn't really need much aid.

Alfred looked like he had just finished incapacitating the guard watching him. A quick survey around the room gave me an idea of what Alfred managed to do. A shattered vase with all the dirt and clay pieces scattered all around the thug's prone form spelled out enough for me, "Well… normally when I save people, they actually need help." I joked lightly.

"Pardon the inconvenience sir. It would seem they estimated a single guard would be enough to watch over me. I'm sure my employer will be most pleased and grateful that you went through the trouble."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't mention it. Any sign of The Joker?"

"No sir, but I did overhear one or two of the gentlemen mention something about The Joker being on the top floor."

I stepped clear of the doorway, "First floor is clear. You should head back."

"Right away sir."

I can't help but smile. If there's one thing Bruce had made sure of, it was that Alfred can take care of himself; at least, that's what I always assumed as the case. It's possible that Alfred also decided on his own to pick up a thing or two to protect himself or he may have always known how to begin with. I never posed the question to Bruce or Alfred but this isn't the first time that Alfred had gotten mixed into things and managed to take care of himself.

I waited for a few minutes on the first floor after Alfred left via the front door to make sure no one followed after him before I moved on. I kept silent and moved up the stairwell to the top floor. There's a serious lack of goons running around the building. I had anticipated a lot more resistance when I arrived. Joker always had enough people to keep Batman and anyone working with him busy before reaching him. While the Joker has learned that his lackeys don't stand a chance to any of us, he does know that they slow us down enough for him to possibly make a getaway. Not that he always runs away. Joker always had a thing with fighting to the end.

The top floor was strangely devoid of goons but the Joker had definitely been there. He left a train of painted arrows to direct me. It's not the first time that Joker has made an obvious trail for us to follow him. All times led into a trap but it also meant we know where to expect them from; so I followed it. I listened and checked in other rooms as I passed to be sure no one is hiding and waiting to pounce. None of the rooms had people and I finally arrived at the locations Joker's path directed me to.

Again I triple check the door for any signs of tampering before I open it. The small apartment is empty but the trail of arrows continues to direct me toward the living room. The lights are all out but I don't hear anything in the apartment. I move toward the t.v. set that his path is directing me to. A piece of paper is on the television 'Turn me on.' Is the only message written on it I scout out the room before I finally push the power button on the television. The screen lights up and a camera lifts up from behind the television. The Joker appears on the screen.

He looks to be staring at something and it's only a moment or two before I realize that he's squinting at a screen of his own and likely trying to figure out who is standing in front of the television. "What's this? Why, you're not the Batman!"

"Joker, where are you?"

The Joker laughed from wherever he was safely sitting, "Sorry Bat-wannabe, but you don't have a mic. Can't hear you. Such a shame really. So! New guy in town, eh? Thought you'd take on one of the big ones in town?"

I crossed my arms and smirked. Nightwing is not a famous vigilante. I made it a point to do my best at keeping a low profile and tonight actually marks the first night that I took to the streets of Gotham in this costume. The Joker not recognizing me is not a surprise.

"Costume seeks to lack some flare. Oh well! Since you're a newbie in town, I'll just have to give you a big ol' Gotham Welcome that only I can provide. Shhh! Do you hear that?" He leaned toward his camera and placed his ear against the lens. I trained my own ears to try and hear anything out of the norm. I couldn't hear anything.

"Funny, me neither!" He sat back in his seat and started laughing, "Oh wait! I know why?" He held up a remote and pushed something on it. His image suddenly disappeared to a ten second countdown. I don't even wait to contemplate what it was and booked it to the nearest window, "Oh, I think the timer is a couple sec—!" He doesn't even get to finish the sentence before the whole place goes up. I was mid jump, ready to dive through the window. A second longer and I would have made it through. I still made it through the window, less controlled, and more like a ragdoll being tossed through the air. Everything appeared to be completely white and the only sound I can hear is the deafening ringing of my ears.

Somewhere between being blown out of the building and to my landing I smacked into the adjacent building and landed on top of a dumpster. Not inside, on top, since the lid was closed. I ended up on the pavement and managed to drag myself two feet forward before I became increasingly aware that I'm hurt, bleeding, and phasing in and out of consciousness before everything finally goes completely black.

I think in my unconscious state I thought of Bruce and how he never would have slipped up as badly as I had against the Joker. I suppose it's to be expected considering Bruce had been dealing with the Joker solo before any of his allies came along. I never dealt with Joker alone before; Batman had always been right there all along. I had faced Joker before but when it comes right down to it, Batman had always made the decisions and plans when dealing with the Joker. I knew what to expect but I guess I don't know how to respond to the Joker's plans just yet.

As I try to open my eyes I can only wonder if the Joker's goons had picked me up and dragged me off somewhere or if Alfred had circled around after hearing the explosion to pick me up. I prayed for the latter and when my eyes cleared enough to stare at a ceiling unfamiliar as my own, I began to panic. Then I moved my arms, completely unbounded and my panic subsided just a bit. I'm not tied up but I'm not in a place I recognize either.

I force myself to sit up and realize that I'm on a bed. To the left I see a bowl of reddened white towels and looking down at myself, my torso has been bandaged up. Someone found me and decided to clean me up. I instinctively reach for my mask and find that it's still in place; only that doesn't mean whomever picked me up hadn't looked. They had removed the upper portion of my uniform but I can't really find it in the immediate area anywhere.

I shift to the edge of the bed and force myself to stand. There's a lot less pain than I had imagined there would be. Usually being caught in a blast like that (as I have in the past) would put me out of work for at least a week. The fact that I'm able to stand with minimal pain is uncanny. I move toward the door to the bedroom. I might as well investigate and find who managed to pick me up since I'm able to move after all. That is the plan, up until I open the door and find myself staring down the hall at a rather large dog. It had been laying down a moment before but when it spotted me, it immediately stood up and sprinted at me while barking. I slammed the door shut at the last possible moment and the dog continued to scratch at the door and bark.

I've dealt with dogs before and ferocious ones such as the one on the other side of the door; however, seeing how I'm currently lacking all of my equipment and have recently been blown out of a building, I'd rather not test my chances against something that large. I stumble back toward the bed and take a seat. Moments later the dog quiets down as the owner starts speaking to it. Not yelling at it like most owners would, but simply speaking to it to calm it down. It's a woman's voice and I feel a building sense of dread as that voice sounds hauntingly familiar.

Even without her opening the door and stepping in, I already know who it is; yet there she stands, with the dog at her side, Raven. She looks a little pass the point of annoyance. Currently dressed in black sweatpants and an oversized shirt, she looks like she might have just crawled out of bed. There's no clock in the room but the light outside tells me that it's late or early. Probably early…too early. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail; likely a quick fix to bedhead if I were to take any guess. Right now all she's doing is glaring at me and I find myself almost fidgeting under her gaze.

"Nice…dog." I comment lamely as I nod to it. Said dog growls in response, or maybe it's Raven.

"Could you have picked a better time to roam? Or is two in the morning normal for you people?"

"It's only two?" I'm surprised to say the least. I must be getting tough if I hadn't been knocked out that long.

She rolls her eyes, "You've been laying dead for over twenty-four hours."

"…." That makes a lot more sense now that I think about it.

"Ace, go to bed." She touched the dog lightly on the head and the dog glances at me for a moment before he scampers out of the room. She closes the door once the dog is out of the room.

"Sure you trust a stranger without your dog around, miss?"

"Sure getting blown up by The Joker is the best way protect the company?"

"So you did look." I lower my gaze to the floor.

"Actually I didn't." I glance up to see her looking smug, "But it's not hard to figure out. Same build, same face, same voice, combine that with the fact that you looked not even the least bit confused by seeing me."

"Maybe you should be doing detective work instead of secretary work." I grumbled before peeling my mask off and tossing it on the bed.

"So what's the strange uniform supposed to stand for?" I stare at her in response, "What?"

"You don't know?"

"Why would I?" She lifts an eyebrow in response.

I am positively floored at this. Has she seriously cut any and all ties with her life as a Titan, as a vigilante that she hasn't heard through any of the networks about Nightwing? Surely she has kept in touch with someone; not me obviously, but there has to be someone out there that she's been speaking to.

"Nightwing… you seriously never heard of Nightwing?"

"Is 'Nightwing' famous like 'Batman'?" I rub my face with a hand as I try not to just groan out of frustration. "So what's the insignia on the uniform?"

"A bird."

She rolls her eyes at me, "Gathered it wasn't a bat. What kind of bird?"

'A Robin' I almost answer just to spell it out to her but decided that I wanted to try a different approach. "Raven." I respond easily and give no outward appearance that I may know more than I let on. Actually, thinking on it now, the bird actually does look more like a raven than a robin. The way it pattern dives and the swings seem to stretch with the dark blue color, it almost like raven's soul-self. I hadn't been thinking about it at the time, I just wanted something edgier than what I had. Strange…

Unfortunately, the realization that I have doesn't seem to be the same for her. Raven has always been good at controlling her emotions and her reactions. Over the years I had been able to get a gist of the subtleties to her expressions but years of being apart have seemed to kill my senses to it all. I can't even read her now. She just looks bored more than anything.

"Outfit is a bit cheesy," is her only response.

I can't take it anymore. She has never been this oblivious and it's killing me. I stand up, "Do you really have no idea who I am?"

"If I can't figure it out even after you removed the mask, I'd just off myself."

"That's not what I'm talking about." I move toward her, "Raven, it's me. I know it's been years but how can you not know it's me!" And there it is again, that dull hum in the back of my head as if the old bond were trying to stitch itself back together.

""Why should I remember?" She's glaring again and I find myself taking a step back in response. "I know exactly who you are Dick. It's not that hard to figure out. You're the one who always tried to keep your identity secret, and since I want nothing to do with that life anymore, than I might as well just ignore the fact."

So… she has known? This whole time? She's just been ignoring the fact, just like that? Did we all mean so little to her that she would simply try and forget about us? I fall back and take a seat on the bed anymore, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"And then what? Have you try and convince me to join some group and fight crime again? No thanks."

"Why are you suddenly against fighting for justice?"

"I always wanted was to live a half decent life somewhere."

"So that's why you disappeared?"

"I didn't want any strings attached; otherwise someone would come looking for me for help. I did my part. I fought crime. There's other people that can do it. I just want to live. I cut my ties and tried to remove things that I can't get rid of." The bond.

"So… you're just going to stand there and tell me that, even though you are capable of helping people, you'd rather not bother because there's always someone out there who can do it." What about Bruce? The Batman. The one she kept saying would keep the city safe would fight all the crime. Does she not realize how ridiculous she's sounding right now? How can she not know about Bruce being Batman if she knows who I am? "If you know who I am, don't you know who Bruce was?" I'm angry, I can feel the anger boiling inside again ready to burst. This, this is not what I expected from her. "If Richard Grayson was Batman's sidekick, Robin once, don't you realize who Batman was? He's dead! There is no Batman. There is no one in this city 'that can do it'. He's dead, Raven! Dead! That's why I'm here!"

She's looking away and to the floor. Her arms slowly wrap themselves around her front as if she's suddenly cold, "….I realized that for the first time, last night." She answered quietly.