Chapter 10
Tim sat in his room at his desk. His homework was spread across the surface. Finally he had it. He stood up and walked over to the punching bag hanging in the corner of his room. He put on his gloves and began punching.
A knock came at his door. "Tim?"
"Come in Pip."
Piper opened the door and walked in. "Tim, do you need help with your homework again?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"You're punching the homework bag."
"Like you had these problems when you were fourteen."
Piper rolled her eyes at him. "Of course I had school problems when I was fourteen. I'm seventeen and I still have trouble. Dick's eighteen and still has trouble. I don't know where you got this idea that you're the only one having a hard time."
Tim let out a long breath. "I'm just stressed that's all. What with Dick off being Nightwing."
"I can understand that. Just be happy the whole superhero bit hasn't gone to his head." Piper smiled at him. "But that's not all that's bothering you is it?"
"No. It's the fact that Bruce has seemed to just, cut off from us. He's nothing like he used to be."
Piper sighed. "Bruce is just busy. Half the day, he's working, and then the other half he's Bruce Wayne. And nothing's been the same to him these past two years."
"But he could at least spare two seconds to say hi to us."
Piper walked up to Tim and hugged her adopted brother. "Just don't aim your frustration on hurting yourself. It's not good for you."
Tim sighed. "To be honest, I'm also a little scared."
"Scared? About what?"
"Well…I'm fourteen."
Piper knit her eyebrows. "…and?"
"Well, that's how old Jason was."
Piper's heart sank as she let out a sigh. She hugged her brother tighter. "Tim, nothing will happen to you."
"Promise?"
"Promise." Piper smiled at him. "Come on. We should Zeta to the Cave. Dick might need us."
In the Cave, Nightwing stood by his holographic computers. Behind him, the Zeta beam tunnels lit up and Athena and Robin walked into the Cave. Athena was wearing her new outfit; a black, sleeveless one piece jumpsuit with gray fingerless gloves and black shin high boots. Her retractable sword and multiple throwing knives hung off her belt. Her short brown hair was tied back into a ponytail. Her mask was a close design to Nightwing's and Robin's.
Robin was wearing his usual outfit; a black and red suit with the "R" insignia and a black cape. His utility belt wrapped around his waist.
"Hey Nightwing," Robin said. "There a mission for us?"
"Not quite yet, Robin. Nice to see you two got here ok."
"We Zeta beamed here," Athena said. "I don't think someone could've attacked us during that time."
"Well you never know."
"Five years and you're still living in middle school. I can protect myself now."
"Hey, it's what brothers do."
Suddenly a map of Gotham appeared. Nightwing turned and looked at it. "There's something going on in east Gotham." He turned his adopted siblings. "You guys want to take this one? I'll go with you of course."
"And Batgirl?" Athena asked.
"She's still in Gotham. I'll radio her and let her know where to rendezvous."
"What are we waiting for?" Robin asked. "Family outings are always fun."
"Then let's get going."
The three walked to the Zeta tubes. Nightwing told the computer to transport them to Gotham and in a few seconds, they were coming out of the hidden tunnel in central Gotham. They jumped on their motorcycles and rode to the coordinates from the Cave.
"Is there any indication as to who this troublemaker is?" Robin asked through the radio com.
"I'm in the process of scanning the area for recent police reports," Nightwing said. "So far there's nothing about-wait! Got something! According to the Commissioner, it's the Joker!"