Story by Darksuperboy

Written by andiree (posted here by me with her permission)

August 29

Washington

23:47 EST

A figure sprints through the back alley. As the light hits the black silhouette, features become more apparent, revealing the villain in his red and white attire. Deadshot glances up at the roof where another shadowy figures runs. The figure drops to the ground and quickly rolls, managing to avoid the assassin's shots from his wrist cannons. The bullets met nothing but air above the rooftop. Deadshot searches for his target, wrist-cannons still aimed.

"What's the matter, Deadshot?" a voice calls from the darkness. The alley echoes with the voice, so it was difficult to pinpoint its location. The killer cocks his head, still searching. "Don't like being at the other end of the sight?"

"Whatever they're paying you I will double it," Deadshot replies.

A laugh echoes down alley, and the nearby lights suddenly burst, putting the alley into total darkness. The voice says, "No one's paying me. Besides, I emptied your offshore accounts before I came after you. Thank you for such a generous donation." Deadshot could practically hear the voice grinning. He opens fire, aiming at the rooftop's corner, but nothing is there. He groans in frustration. "Will go along way towards what I have in mind for the rest of your shadow pals. Nothing like some good old fashion justice." Deadshot activates night-vision on his goggles. "You killed a lot of people, Deadshot: some of them were thugs like you, but far too many more were innocent lives-destroyed by your greed. Now it's time to pay up." Deadshot spins as he hears contact on the floor behind him. He fires down the street but, still, there is nothing except for a small tube. A bright flash blinds the shadow member as the night vision overloads due to the light. In a daze, Deadshot is suddenly kicked from behind. He lands in puddle and turns over to see the attacker. With blurred vision, he advances on him. As his eyes focus again he can now see a red-helmeted man dressed in a full-body and a biker jacket and boots. He grins, pointing something at Deadshot. A nearby cat, who was cleaning its paws, runs away as a loud bang rings through the alley.

September 4th

Bludhaven

23:57 EDT

On the rooftops of the Bludhaven slums Nightwing runs. No longer a member of team or league, he has been devoting more time to training and crime fighting. The city is beginning to take notice: crime rates have dropped and corruption was becoming less known. The crime gangs who had noticed the hero's change in attitude towards anyone who crossed him-all of which were spending long duration in the local hospitals-had backed off in daylight dealings so not to antagonize the hero, who had a clear chip on his shoulder. However, the masked hero still wasn't happy. He still didn't know what to do with himself. Charging headlong into work wasn't helping anymore; it felt good at first, but it quickly faded. He was realizing who he was becoming and he didn't want that-not since all those years ago, when that messed-up mental scenario made him think he had sent all his friends to their deaths. Now, in recent months he had done just that: endangered the lives of Kaldur and Artemis, mentally tortured M'gann, pushed Conner to his limits- not to mention watching his best friend die. He didn't want to quit-he wanted to carry on, mainly as a dedication to his parents. He couldn't go back to the team or league. He didn't deserve it. Dick Grayson just didn't know what to do.

He jumps and stealthily lands back on the HQ rooftop. After typing in the access code and standing for the identification scan, the rooftop hatch opens and he enters the building. Nightwing logs onto his computer-something he is very familiar with.

From behind him, a voice speaks. "Good morning, Richard."

Nightwing spins around, batons at the ready as R'as al Ghul steps out of the shadows.

"At ease, young hero," R'as says, smiling, "I am merely here to talk." Seeing no drop in guard, he proceeds to remove his sword from his belt and lays it on the ground. "You have my word."

Nightwing knows this man to be the leader of the League of Shadows: a ruthless killer and eco-terrorist for over 700 years. He probably has multiple backup plans for his escape from this meeting but not a man who uses an oath lightly. Nightwing lowers his guard, but ever so slightly.

"R'as," he says. "I can't say I'm surprised to see you up and about-but it seemed to have taken you longer then usual to come out of the shadows. What's the matter-green goo beginning to lose it's kick?" The 700-year-old man's eyes narrow.

"Clearly, you left the nest a little too early," is his response. "The detective didn't have the chance to teach you respect for your elders."

"Let's just go with 'I'm not in the mood for the usual back and forth word games'."

"Clearly the loss of your teammate and longtime friend still troubles you." Nightwing's fists clench tightly on the batons.

"What do you want, R'as?"

"A situation has arisen that endangers the League of Shadows." Nightwing laughs, causing him to receive a glare. He doesn't care.

"You've recently lost your biggest set of employers for the last five years," Nightwing points out. "What's the problem? Having trouble finding new clients?"

"Hardly. No, this is a danger more to the members of the League itself." This gets Nightwing's attention; it must be something big if it endangers the most proficient league of hired assassins in the world. "Someone has began systematically terminating all our members."

"And you can't stop them," Nightwing finishes.

"The person's training has made it difficult to track down and eliminate before his next strike."

"Maybe you should call the police." Nightwing smirks, but R'as ignores the suggestion and continues.

"So far, he has eliminated five of our top members." R'as pulls out a disk, and Nightwing goes back on guard. However, the disk is not thrown at Nightwing, but to the floor just in front of R'as' feet. Light shines from the object, showing faces that Nightwing recognizes: Hook, Blackspider, Deadshot, Professor Ojo. There was one man he didn't recognize: David Cain. All of these men had "deceased" written over their photos.

"Can't say I'm sorry to hear that," Nightwing tells him.

Ignoring the comment, R'as continues, "Also, he had began targeting former members of the League as well." The light extends and shows Sportsmaster. This photo, too, reads "deceased".

Nightwing crosses his arms. "Like I said: why should I care?"

"As I said, he has began targeting former members of the league-all of them." Realization hits him, and he continues, "Some of which are currently close to your friends and even part of their family." He switches off the hologram. "Our last known sighting of his position puts him within the U.S., I am certain. Do you now see why this is a problem you may want to resolve?" R'as kicks his sword back into his hand and walks back into shadows. From the darkness Nightwing hears, " Good luck, Richard, and farewell."

Dick spins back around and begins madly typing into the computer, bringing up the location of several team members and their home locations.

September 4th

Gotham

03:16 EDT

Paula Crocks sleeps peacefully, unaware of the threat that looms beside her. At the end of the bed, the same man that killed so many shadows stands and aims his gun at the woman. As he cocks back the hammer of the gun, the supposedly sleeping woman surprises him, throwing high the bed sheets and obscuring the man's vision. For an instant a bullet flares, but in his blindness the shot misses its mark. Paula shifts her mass to the side of the bed, reaching for the bedside drawer. She pulls out a miniature crossbow and turns to aim, but her hands are forced back into the bed's headboard. Her shot goes wide, and her hands are still pinned by the man's one hand; his other holds a gun aimed at Paula's forehead.

"Very nice try," Red Hood says with a smirk. "I will be honest: I had my doubts on whether I should kill you due to you being 'damaged goods', but you've put up enough of a fight to decide them. You're still a shadow through and through."

Paula leers at her captor, looking into his mask without flinching. "Who are you?"

"Someone your husband helped to create," he answers. Tilting his head, and arm still pinning her's, he holsters the gun under his jacket. He pulls out metal mask. "Or should I say 'late' husband?" He chuckles as Paula's eyes widen in shock as she looks at the item, her eyes following it down as Red Hood drops it onto her unmoving legs. She looks back at the man and glares, eyes glowing with hatred. "Wow, you're sad he's gone even after what he did to you? Lady, you're priceless. Fortunately, that trait hasn't carried onto your daughters. Well, at least not one of them. I will have to deal with the other."

"You stay away from them!" she screams, fuming.

"That's not quite your call." Red hood pries the cross bow out of Paula's hands and pushes her back onto the center of the bed with ease. He backs away, pulling out the gun again. "But as a kindness, the last thing you'll know is that I won't hurt your granddaughter. She's still innocent." He pulls back the hammer again. There is a sudden whistling noise, a clang and a whiz. Red Hood turns to look outside the window, gun aimed, just in time to see a cable in midair, occupied by an ascending blonde with a crossbow.

"GET AWAY FROM MY MOTHER!" Artemis yells. Red hood has as advantage in firepower aim and speed; however, he also has the disadvantage of an alarm clock colliding with the side of his helmeted head, which distracts him for a second-long enough for the rapid-fire crossbow to pierce the window with its arrows and force him to take cover behind the doors. He tried to take shot at his real target from the defensive position but Crock had pulled herself off the bed and couldn't be seen. An arrow embedded itself in door frame, then released an expanding foam, blocking the entire archway and forcing the hooded man to give up his chase.

Tigress burst through the window, still on alert for a counter attack.

"Mom," Artemis calls out, not seeing her on the bed.

"Artemis," Paula calls back. The heroine runs over and hugs her mother, helping her back onto the bed.

Still embracing her mother, Artemis asks, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Paula pulls out of the hug to look eye to eye with her daughter. "But you have to go. He's going after Jade."

"Nightwing has already warned Red Arrow."

"You must go help them. I will be fine," she insists. Paula waves a crossbow that she had picked up from floor at Artemis to reinforce the idea. The sound of sirens ring louder through the shattered windows. The Gotham Police Department inbound after calls from the neighbors who heard gunshots. Paula sees that her daughter still understandably hesitant. "GO!" she says urgently. Tigress gives her mother's hand a tight squeeze before jumping out the window and onto the fire escape. A line shoots out ahead of her, creating her exit. She swings away over the police cars, which came to skidding halts.

An officer looks out of the car and up at the heroine. His badge reads the name 'Bullock'.

"Jeez, these costume freaks dress up weirder every year," he mutters.

September 4th

Gotham

03:36 EDT

Tigress activates the radio as she leaps across rooftops.

"Nightwing," she addresses. "Succeeded in stopping the attack on my mom, but now we believe the assassin's next target is my sister. Since she doesn't tend to stay in one place he will go to the one person he knows she'll go to."

"Roger that," Nightwing replies. "Tigress: Green Arrow and Black Canary have already secured Lian and Red Arrow within Queen Industries Tower. They are safe. Any word on Cheshire?"

"No," Tigress answers, irritable. Her sister is annoying even to this day. Sure, she had dialed back the crime gig for her new family, but she still likes to dabble. "No longer killing people, but still stealing high value pieces of tech for money." She doesn't constantly stay with her daughter and husband, but drops by every now again.

Sounds of beeping can be heard over communication line.

"That's odd," Nightwing notes.

"What is?" Artemis asks.

"The zeta tube in your area has just been activated."

"Shut it down."

"Too late. They've already completed transit to Star City. But how did they do that without hacking the system?"

Artemis hears Nightwing typing. "In pursuit," she tells him.

Tigress rounds the corner of the alley leading to an out-of-order phone booth. Suddenly, the booth explodes, throwing the heroine backwards and onto ground. Quickly pulling herself up, Artemis looks at smoking wreckage, unable to help her family.

STAR CITY

September 4th

05:36 PDT

The Queen Industry's main complex is barren, with the exception of the owner's office, where Black Canary stands with a sleeping Lian in her arms. Her father and honorary grandfather are suited, both looking out the window and keeping an eye out for threats. The idea to hide at Industries was the most reasonable choice: the Hall was too public and the Watch Tower wouldn't resolve the issue. Instead, Red Arrow and Lian will hide until Red Hood is found. Since the League of Shadows is having trouble, who knows how long it will take. The best idea is to hide as their alter-egos, and hope for the best. Even so, it doesn't mean they shouldn't prepare for the worst.

Ollie finishes his call on the radio, and turns to the others.

"League traced the Zeta tube used in Star City," Green Arrow informs them. "Burnt to a crisp. No sign on this Hood guy." Red Arrow looks out the window, no sign of acknowledgement towards Green Arrow. His head does turn, however, when Green Arrow places his hand on Red Arrow's shoulder. "We'll get him, Roy." The two both look out the window again, eyes fixated on the night sky-neither seeing the man climbing onto a rooftop several blocks away.

The Red Hood successfully gets onto the rooftop of Queen Industries nearby warehouse. He then pulls up a large crate with difficulty. The Lex Corp logo is printed on the side. He opens the crate to reveal a large rocket launcher. With a smirk, Red Hood picks it up and takes aim at the tower. The digital display zooms in on the main office and heat signatures of those inside. He stands there wordless for several seconds before lowering the weapon.

"About time you showed," Red Hood says, smirking. "Was beginning to wonder if I really had to fire this to get your attention." He turns around to face the woman standing behind him: Cheshire.

The mask grins back at him. "Everyone gets my attention when they attack my family," Cheshire says, "but they soon learn to regret it." The two stand off without words, the night's wind blowing between them-then begins their deadly dance. Red aims the rocket launcher at Cheshire who throws shy, knocking the launcher off target and firing into the air. Cheshire starts throwing more ninja stars which Red Hood blocks with the launcher. He pulls out a handgun and begins firing at the grinning assassin as she cartwheels behind the air vent, dodging bullets along the way. She keeps out of sight, allowing Red Hood to dispose of the launcher and draw a second pistol and advances on Cheshire's position. As he nears her, Jade jumps onto the vent, leaps over Red Hood and lands behind him. Cheshire throws him over her shoulder with her gained momentum. Red Hood counters easily, falling into back flip and turning to aim at the woman. However, Cheshire swiftly kicked the gun out of his hand, and proceeds to pull out an extendable katana, swinging it at Red Hood's head. He blocks her strike with a combat knife. The fury of blows are exchanged, and each blocked by the other. Red Hood tries to kick out Cheshire's legs but she back flips and disappears behind a screen of smoke coming forth from an activated smoke pellet. Red Hood's bullets miss their target and slam into the already bullet-ridden vent. Silently, three darts escape the smoke screen and plant themselves into Red Hood's torso. He looks down at darts. His body begins to sway until he finally collapses, the guns falling from his hands.

Jade slowly advances on the downed killer. Drawing a second shy, she kneels down next to his body with her weapon raised. "Like I said: regret." Red Hood's jacket-covered arm twitches as a taser shoots into the villain's seemingly limp hand, which suddenly reaches forward, snatching females leg, causing to stun Jade before she can complete her death blow. The hand, as well as the arm, she carries the shy in goes limp.

Red Hood grins at her. "Full body armor." He picks himself back up off the ground, grabbing the guns in both his hands. "Stops knives, bullets, and darts from hitting those pesky organs underneath." He kicks Jade's form over so he can face her. A gun is lifted and pointed towards her head.

His finger is less than a second from pulling the trigger when and arrow intercepts the gun, knocking the shot away from the downed shadow. Red Hood spots more arrows heading his way and begins dodging them as he runs along the rooftop, returning fire at the angry faces of Red and Green Arrow.

Just a minute before, Red and Green had been looking out of the window. A bright light shot into the air several blocks away. Green Arrow pulled out a pair of pocket-binoculars, looking at light.

"Military miniature rocket." Green Arrow followed the trail back to its source, zooming in on two figures on the rooftop. One of them he recognized. "Looks like your wife is back and found our Red Hood." Red Arrow pressed a switch, opening the window. The two archers drew arrows and shot towards the far off lower building. Two cables followed the arrows. The archers hooked up the line to ceiling, then swung their bows over the line.

Ollie, looking back at baby Lian and Canary's expression of concern, said, "See you in a little while, pretty bird." The two archers departed them, zipping down the cables.

Currently, Red Hood flees from the rooftop after realizing he is outnumbered. As he leaps he also manages to dodge several arrows. During his fall he pulls out a grappler and shoots a line to a nearby lamp post, swinging away as Green Arrow chases in pursuit. Green Arrow shoots one last arrow at the fleeing man. The weapon explodes into a net but is quickly cut with ease by the swinging criminal.

"This guy is good," Green Arrow mutters to himself.

Red Hood lands on the pavement and turns into the alley. A few seconds later the sound of a heavy motor bike can be heard moving towards the other end.

Green Arrow turns away to look back at his former sidekick, who is kneeling down beside his wife. Though he is not much of a fan of his adoptive son's choice in women, Green Arrow still cares about the man's feelings.

"How is she?" he asks.

Red Arrow lets out a sigh. "Breathing seems to be stunned." He lifts his wife into his arms and begins to walk back to the tower. "But she'll be annoyed she lost and angry this Red Hood guy got away."

"Glad I'm not married to her then," Green Arrow replies, letting out a snicker. Red Arrow doesn't return the laughter. Green arrow clears his throat. "I think the Biker Boy has learnt not to mess with Arrow family tonight." He follows his former partner back to the tower, back towards the people he loves.

STAR CITY OUTSKIRTS

September 4th

06:36 PDT

Red Hood rides his bike through the fading night, down an empty street, feeling annoyed that he had missed his attacks and that his persona had been seen by the League. He had been hoping for more time to work in the shadows without getting them involved. This was most likely R'as attempt to reign in his attacks on his own shadows by having the League hunting for him. However, Red Hood will get his revenge for what R'as did to him. His focus on revenge nearly caused a fatal error, noticing a steel cable just before it shoots across the street, blocking his path. Red skids to a halt before the cable line retracts into the darkened alley. Red Hood, already looking in that direction, draws his guns and stares at a shining red light.

"I wouldn't," a voice calls, "unless you want to see how many pieces you and your bike can be turned into from an RPG." Red Hood looks down, but he doesn't lower his guns.

"Maybe I'm interested in how many bullets I can fire before that happens," Red Hood replies. He watches as a one-armed, dark hero-Arsenal-steps into the light of street lamps.

"Interesting idea," Arsenal says. "But I don't think either one of us wants to find out, since we have so much in common-our mutual hatred for the League of Shadows, for example. Nice work on getting some of them already, by the way." He slings the RPG back onto a strap. Red Hood lowers his guns, intrigued.

"Could say the same to you-Arsenal, right? The guy R'as and his fellows kept on ice for 5 years while playing operation. Fouled up a bit of Shadow work yourself, from what I've heard." He twirls his gun around playfully, showing more drop in guard with the person he has 'a bit in common' with.

Arsenal smiles. "And looking to continue to do so. Care for an assist?"

Red, now leaning on the front of bike as though having a good chat with his best bud, says, "Don't see why not. We both want the same people dead."

"One stipulation first." Red Hood straightens up slightly, now on guard. "Drop it with Cat and her family. I don't want to explain to my niece why mommy, grandma and auntie are dead. One's retired, one has backed off from the killing circuit, and one's a hero-so it sort of balances out." Red Hood stands there for a moment thinking it over before shrugging.

"Fine." He points at Arsenal, and adds,"But you're buying the first round."

"Deal?" Arsenal extends his cyborg hand, grinning.

Red Hood takes his hand and the two shake, sealing the deal. Arsenal walks back into the lights. His motorbike is heard from behind as Red pulls up to him, helmet on but visor up.

"Let's ride." Red Hood pushes the visor down and drives off.

Arsenal grins, following closely behind.

So we are halfway through the season! Since we need a break, we'll be starting our four week hiatus! Watch out for some updates because (for reasons I do not understand) I'm am being asked to rewrite Episode 1 as the rest of the group seems to be viewing it as not up to quality, as well as the final scene of Episode 9. I'm hoping this won't take too much time out of my personal writing time, but whatever. Practice is practice! We look forward to getting back on the road with this soon.

Personally, I hope to get up some other work soon as well. My sister was kind enough to write the recap of Why do we fall? and Why so serious?, so I should be well on my way to writing the next chapter soon.

Thank you all again! You're all wonderful!