bleh, bleh, bleh, i own nothin.

now read.

He was up and moving in minutes.

Dick walked- limped, rather- down the hall towards the cafeteria. Barbara wheeled along behind him, scowling the whole way. "Richard John Grayson-Wayne! If you do not sit down this instant, I am going to take your ecrisma sticks and shove them up your-"

"Barbara!" he whined. "I am fine-"

"You had a seizure! The doctors don't know what caused it, and it could happen again!" she snapped, crossing her arms.

Dick rolled his eyes, turning to face his new girlfriend. "Babs, look, I'm fine."

Just to prove his point, Dick did a back-flip and landed on his good leg, smirking in a way that made all the ladies swoon.

Except Barbara.

If she was a cartoon, she would have had gray steam emerging from her nostrils and ears. "RICHARD GRAYSON!"

Dick winced and turned back towards the cafeteria, limping as fast as he could.

-)0(-

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Tim looked down at his communicator, and his eyes widened. M'gann looked over from across the table. "Tim? Tim, you're pulsation with fear-"

"I've gotta go get Batman!" he shouted as he darted away.

Just as he got to the cafeteria door, he almost ran over Dick.

"Woah, Timmy!" the young man laughed, smiling ear-to-ear. Why shouldn't he be happy? He had a girlfriend, his memory back, he was healing just fine, and he was now rebuilding his relationship with his deranged father.

Tim's eyes were wide behind his mask, and Dick could sense (in his brotherly-telepathy that all big brothers have) the tenseness in Tim's frame.

He frowned, eyebrows furrowed. "Tim, what-"

"Someone's breaking into the Manor! I got the traffic camera, and it was Joker!"

Dick's face went stark white. He turned to Barbara, who looked about to puke. "N-Nobody's home," she began nervously, "right?"

Tim grabbed Dick's arm tightly. "Alfred!"

-)0(-

"Where's Grayson?"

Alfred silently blinked. "Whom?"

"Grayson!" Joker barked. "Nightwing..."

Alfred's eyes grew wide as quarters, and Joker chuckled. "Yup... This is the right place! Thank you, old chap!"

BOOM!

The bullet lodged itself in the wood flooring just next to Alfred's head.

Joker's red lips curved up into a rotten smile. "Hm... See, old chap, that was the warning shot..."

He stood back up and kicked Alfred very harshly in the head. Blood came out of the wound, and the old butler cringed. Joker stomped on his chest, and Alfred let out a grunt. Joker howled with laughter.

"Now, chappie 'o... Where... Is... Nightwing?"

-)0(-

J'onn was revving up the teleporters as Dick, who had dressed himself up in his suit, argued sharply with Bruce.

"I'm going-"

"No, Richard. You are to stay put."

Dick scowled. "You can't tell me what to do anymore. I'm 21 now, remember?"

Bruce pulled up his cowl, throwing his son the 'Bat-glare'. "Stay... put." (1)

Dick growled, putting on his mask. "I... Am... Going..."

Suddenly, Robin appeared at Batman's side. "C'mon, Dick. You're still injured-"

"I remember when you had a shattered collar bone, Robin," Nightwing snapped, "and still went on patrol-"

"This is different, Richard-" Bruce began, only to be cut off by J'onn.

"The teleporter is ready for you, Batman, Robin..."

Batman nodded and stepped into the zeta-beam, his body evaporating into the air, but not before he could call out to Nightwing, "Stay put!"

Robin cast a sorry glance over at Nightwing, who was scowling and tapping his good foot, trying to exhaust some of his pent-up anger. "Sorry, Dick... I-"

"Just go if you're going, Tim," the older boy snapped.

Barbara flinched from her place next to Martian Manhunter. Dick never talked so... coldly to Tim.

Tim blinked harshly, then turned and jumped into the teleporter. His body evaporated as he followed after his mentor.

Nightwing turned at the sound of rapid foot-fall. A very worried-looking group of super-heroes appeared. Tempest, Kon'El, X-Factor, Arrowette, Flash, and Arsenal. All of them were dressed full-out in their costumes, their weapons at the ready. Barbara cocked an eyebrow. "You guys got a mission?"

Flash ran up to Nightwing. His mouth (as that was all you could see of his face) was contorted in a firm, frightened scowl. "Dick, the news just came on-"

"Arkham had a major break-out," Arrowette said as she came up next to Flash. Her eyebrows were furrowed beneath her mask. "Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, and Bane all broke out. Dick, we think that they might try and rendezvous with Joker-"

"-at the Manor," Nightwing gasped, his eyes going bugged. He turned sharply to J'onn, who nodded.

"I shall ready another beam."

"Who all's going?" Barbara asked.

M'gann shifted uncomfortably. "I can't really- I can't really go... I mean, the baby and all- I'm sorry, Dick-"

He held up a hand, shaking his head. "Don't be, Miss M-" she smiled at that "-just take care of that baby, got it?"

Her green lips curled up into a weak smile, and she nodded.

"I'm going," Arsenal said, stepping forward. "I mean, even if Wayne hates me, Drake's like a kid brother to me."

"Me too!" Flash piped up, smirking. "That's just kind of a duh."

Arrowette nodded her affirmation, and Kon'El grunted. Typical Superboy, Nightwing thought with a chuckle. Everyone looked at him funny.

Tempest nodded. "I suppose this means that I am going as well."

"I'm going," Nightwing spoke deathly.

Everyone's mouths opened, but Dick cast a menacing, blood-stopping glare out and snapped, "This is my fault. Joker wants me-"

"Which is why you shouldn't go!" Barbara cried, frowning. Tears were welling in her eyes, and she slammed her fist on the arm rest of her chair. "Dick... I don't want to lose you... Not again..."

Nightwing was taken aback by her words. She really thought she had lost me? She... cares that much?

Tenderly, the hero crouched down on one knee, licking his lips uneasily. He pulled Barbara's chin up so that she had to face him. Tears were gently falling down her rosy cheeks, her deep eyes closed tightly. "Babs..." Dick spoke in a hushed whisper. "I'm not going to leave you... And if I do, when we see each other again, you can kick my ass. Okay?"

She grabbed his hand tersely. "Dick, this isn't a joke! If you die, then I-" her voice cracked "- I don't know what I'd do without you, Richard..."

Nightwing blinked once, then twice. He bit his lower lip, shaking his head. "Barbara..." He pulled her hand up to his lips, kissing her fingertips softly. "I will never leave you... Do you understand me?"

From watery eyes, she peered at him. "Do you promise?"

He nodded. "I promise..."

The red-head took in a shaky breath, letting it out slowly. "Al-Alright... Go on, hot-shot."

He smiled at her, then turned to go to the teleporter, but Flash appeared in front of him, arms crossed over his chest. "Babs may let you go, but there is no way in Hell that I'm letting you go-"

Nightwing's face was suddenly inches from his best friend's, his eyes cold and uncaring, his jaw clenched tightly. "Then make me stay..."

All was uncomfortably silent.

Nightwing and Flash were having a stare-down, and the latter obviously lost.

"Fine."

J'onn turned to the others. "The zeta-beam is ready."

M'gann pulled Connor into her arms, kissing him tenderly. "Come back, okay?"

He smirked and winked at her before dissipating into the blue lights. Arrowette was next, followed by Arsenal, Tempest, and Flash.

Just before he stepped in, Nightwing turned and cast his heart-breaker at Barbara. He mouthed, 'See you later, Babs.'

She mouthed back, 'Be careful...'

And he was gone.

-)0(-

Blood poured heavily from Alfred's shoulder, where Joker had shot him. Now, the clown was growling fiercely and snarling at the butler, waving the gun above his head. "Come on, old man! Just tell me where Grayson is-"

A bat-a-rang suddenly knocked the gun from Joker's snowy hand.

He turned sharply, grinning eerily as his eyes caught sight of Batman. "Ooh! Now we're having fun! Where's Bird-Boy?"

A flying kick knocked Joker off his feet, a good few yards away from Alfred. Robin appeared at the old man's side. "Right here, Joker!"

Joker rounded on Robin, but Batman pulled the clown into hand-to-hand combat.

As the two duked it out, Robin helped Alfred to sit up. The pale man moaned slightly as Robin pulled gauze from his belt as wrapped it around Alfred's shoulder. "Here, Alf," he said in a whisper. "Just keep some pressure on it-"

"He knows, Master Robin."

Robin frowned. "Wha-What?"

"He knows who Master Nightwing is- and I should say he also knows who you and Master Batman are-"

"But if he doesn't-"

Alfred shook his head. "We cannot know for sure. But he knows who Master Nightwing is..." Alfred blinked at the stinging pain in his shoulder. "He knows..."

Tim felt his shoulders shaking nervously. "O-Okay, Alf... Just- just stay here, and I'll-"

There suddenly came a loud explosion, and the front door frame and its open tongue both burst into flames. The sparks and ashes flew out at Alfred and Robin, and the caped teen pulled the butler back and behind a grand baby piano in the next room.

Suddenly, through the fire came Harley Quinn, holding-

A bazooka?

WHERE THE HELL DID SHE GET A BAZOOKA? Robin thought frantically.

But, he had no time to think on that, because, from behind the crazed babe came Killer Croc and Scarecrow. The teen gasped sharply, his eyes growing wide as Killer Croc ran at Batman.

But, Robin did a cartwheel that put him in between his mentor and the villain. Killer Croc back-stepped, then smirked with his long jaws and ivory teeth. "Hello, little birdie... Come to play?"

Robin shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe you'll win this time..." He smirked, snorting. "Naw, the day you win is the day Batman smiles."

Killer Croc snarled and rushed at Robin, who darted away. He pulled a bird-a-rang from his belt and threw it at Croc. The sharp projectile caught on Croc's green scales, and the mutant roared with anger. "You brat! I'ma teach you a lesson..."

Robin cackled. "Bring it on, you overgrown lizard!"

While Robin was fighting Killer Croc, Harley had joined the fray with Joker and Batman.

The Dark Knight grunted as he dodged and blocked the numerous punches and kicks the evil duo sent his way. Quickly, Harley thrust out her arm in a punch. Batman caught it and used his momentum to throw the woman and Joker into a nearby wall. When they hit it, several portraits fell and knocked the two senseless. A fine crack in the wall ran from Joker's head to the ceiling, making Batman smirk.

Killer Croc caught a glance at Batman, then turned to Robin. "Ooh... Looks like you'ra loose, boy..."

And Croc rushed him, throwing all of his green, scaly body at the boy. Robin jumped out of the way, and Croc smashed through the wall. Alfred peered up from behind the piano, a firm grip on his shoulder. "I do say-"

But Croc threw Robin over the piano, and Alfred had to duck. "Master Robin!"

The boy stood on shaky legs. "I'm fine, Alf! Just- AUGH!"

Blue electricity ran all up and down Robin's body, and the teen slumped to the floor, unconscious. Behind him stood Poison Icy, smirking at the tazer she held. "'Ya know, I don't normally go for weapons like this," she grinned seductively, "but this just might work..."

Slowly, she approached Alfred, the tazer revving up-

And out of the sky came a bright red arrow. Thank God it was blunt-ended, because it hit Ivy square in the temple, sending her reeling. Arsenal appeared in the room and quickly tied up the now unconscious woman. When he saw Alfred, he growled, "Come on!" Picking up Robin, Arsenal led Alfred out of the room.

What the butler saw was something he would never forget.

Batman was fighting Killer Croc, side-by-side with Tempest, who flung sharp bits of ice at the mutant. Across the room, emerging from a fallen wall, was Kon-El, who was in a fierce combat with Bane. The two rushed each other, resulting in another fallen wall. Arrowette and Flash were working together to try and get Harley and Joker (who had, sadly, regained consciousness) down off of the chandelier and staircase where they jumped about like spider-monkeys. Mr. Freeze was fighting-

"Master Nightwing?" Alfred's eyes grew wide, and he scowled at Arsenal as the young man led him out a window. "What is he doing here? He doesn't even remember-"

"He got his memory back, Alf," Arsenal explained as he lay Robin down tenderly in the tall grass, a good ways away from the Manor. Alfred stared at Arsenal.

"I- I beg your pardon?"

Arsenal was prepping an arrow. "Dick got his memory back- I'll explain later." Arsenal took out his communicator and tossed it to Alfred. "Go to the Watchtower- you'll be safe there. Take Robin with you."

"But I insist, I-"

"NOW!"

Alfred scowled as Arsenal ran off. "Talk about respect for your elders..."

-)0(-

Tempest dodged a poison dart that was thrown. Scarecrow proved to be a weak, yet advanced foe. Weak physically, but advanced in his mind and weaponry.

Tempest managed to catch Batman's eye while Scarecrow wasn't looking. They shared a silent nod, then Batman pulled out several exploding bat-a-rangs, throwing them at Scarecrow.

BOOM! rang through the Manor, shaking the walls.

But, Scarecrow appeared through the smoke, seemingly unharmed. He growled and threw darts at Batman, who pranced around, dodging. While Scarecrow was preoccupied, Tempest grew water-whips and, with a loud battle cry, cast them straight at Scarecrow. They wrapped around his neck and left wrist, his throwing hand.

"AURGH! Get this water shi- AUGH!"

Tempest pulled away, his water whips crackling with electricity. He turned and smirked at Batman, who grunted and nodded.

I'll take that as a 'thank-you'.

-)0(-

Arrowette growled deeply in her throat as Harley dodged yet another arrow. Joker had run off somewhere, leaving Flash and Arrowette with the harlequin harlot. She stuck out her tongue, blowing raspberries at the two.

Arrowette got back-to-back with Flash, who hissed, "Fly-and-Grab?"

The archeress smirked. "Sure, then maybe later we can do it again? Alone..."

Flash blushed a fiercer crimson than his suit. "Sure," he whispered, voice cracking with embarrassment.

Arrowette cast out her bubbly laugh before running away from Harley's flag-bullets. "Hold still, would'ja?" the woman rasped as she jumped to the chandelier.

"No thanks!" Arrowette called back. "Unless you do the same!"

Harley smirked. "Not a chance, babe."

Artemis chuckled to herself. "I was hoping she'd say that..."

Pulling five arrows from her quiver, Arrowette cocked every single one of them in one hand. Pulling back, she whispered a prayer and let them fly.

Harley gasped and her eyes grew wide. She had to jump down from the chandelier to avoid all of the arrows. When she hit the floor, a red blur appeared and latched onto her, pulling her arms to her sides. "Ouch!" the woman shrieked at Flash. "Not so hard, buddy-boy!"

Flash rolled his eyes as Arrowette came forward, an electric arrow in one hand. She stuck it onto Harley's neck, and both she and Flash shook with the blue electricity and fell. Arrowette blushed as Flash sat up, groaning. "Did you have to shock both of us?" he groaned, hand-cuffing Harley Quinn to the stair case.

Artemis sauntered up to Wally and kissed his ear lobe, whispering, "Be a good boy and I'll think about doing it for you again later..."

-)0(-

Kon'El sent a punch to Croc's nose, flinging the mutant back several feet. But, the villain dug his claws into the flooring, stopping himself before he flew into the now flaming front wall of the Manor. He snarled at the Kryptonian and shouted, "C'mon, boy! Fight like a man- don't be scared to use your strength."

The clone's eyes narrowed. "Don't be afraid to use my strength, eh?"

His eyes glowed red, and he sent heat lasers out to strike Croc's butt. The creature shrilled and jumped, clutching his tail, which was now on fire, just like the wall behind him. Kon'El's lips almost formed a smile as he sent a punch to Killer Croc's gut, sending the beast up through the ceiling and onto the second floor.

"Game, Set, Match."

-)0(-

Never before had Nightwing felt that much pain in one place.

Freeze had punched him into a wall, and the vigilante's leg had snapped again, the white bone of his femur splitting open his skin and costume, sending blood all over Nightwing's leg.

Now, as he danced (limped pathetically) around Freeze, Nightwing kind of wished he had re-considered his comings.

Freeze laughed, "I'm underwhelmed, boy... Again."

Anger boiled up in Dick's body, and he rushed Freeze, his ecrisma sticks powered up fully and ready to break some bones.

Suddenly, something long, green, and sharp slid itself in Nightwing's gut.

The pain was excruciating.

The thorned vine wriggled itself into the soft tissue of Nightwing's belly, forcing itself out of his back, just barely missing his spinal cord. Blood poured in rivers from the sight, and Nightwing fell to his knees, clutching at the vine as it slid back out of his torso. Looking up, the young man saw Poison Ivy looming over him. Her venom-green lips curled into a seductive smile. She bent over, showing more cleavage than was necessary, and whispered into Nightwing's ear, "Having fun, yet, kid?"

Suddenly, a blunt-tipped, green arrow knocked Ivy senseless. She reeled, snarling. But, just as the woman got her bearings, Arrowette appeared and began to rapid-fire at the woman.

One of her arrows struck true, sending knock-out gas over Poison Ivy's slender form.

Coughing manically, Ivy collapsed, unconscious.

The blonde darted over to Nightwing, her eyes wide. "Oh, God..."

Just as Nightwing's body fell to the side, Arrowette caught him. Her long fingers ran through his hair. "'Wing? C'mon, 'Wing... Stay with me, now... Stay with me..."

The man's breath came quickly, rushed and strained. Arrowette was feeling green. "Nightwing, Nightwing hang on, okay? Just... Just hang on."

Her hands pressed down on his gut where the blood was rushing out. The wound was all the way through, but hadn't seemed to hit any main organs. But it still bled heavily.

Her hair falling into her face, Arrowette pleaded with Nightwing to stay awake.

Her pleads fell on unconscious ears...

-)0(-

In a flash of bright red, the speedster was tying up Freeze's feet. Having such a heavy metal suit, the villain lost his footing and fell, his helmet cracking. Flash darted around and slammed his fist through the glass, giving small cuts and a concussion-enducing punch to Freeze's face.

Smiling, Flash put his hands on his hips. "Yup! Just another day-in-the-life of Central City's most beloved hero-"

"FLASH!"

The man turned lightning-quick and saw something that froze him solid.

Arrowette's sorrowful eyes were cast on him, a bit of blood on her cheek. Her hands were pressed tightly over Nightwing's gut, where blood rushed in between her fingers. His eyes growing wide, Flash was over instantly, taking over for Arrowette. "Arty," he ordered sternly, "Go get Bats. He'll know what to do!"

Arrowette, without any further prying, stood and dashed off.

Flash looked for any sign of life in his friend. "'Wing? C'mon, 'Wingster! Wakey, wakey, eggs and baccie!"

The other hero didn't stir.

Flash's heart dropped to his stomach. Quickly, he checked for a pulse. To his relief, Nightwing's pulse was still there- weak, but there.

There came the sound of a gun being cocked, and there came a cackle from behind Flash.

His eyes grew wide, and slowly, painfully, Flash craned his neck to see-

"Hello, speedy! I'm here to end the Bird-brain..."

-)0(-

The Manor was on fire.

No doubt about it.

Almost the whole structure was flaming, bright red tendrils attacking from every corner.

Tempest was getting dehydrated fast. He leaned on Arsenal as the archer carried him outside. Collapsing into the grass, Kaldur blinked harshly as he saw Kon'El tying together Bane (now without his steroid-making-machine), Harley Quinn, and Scarecrow. From the building darted Batman, dragging Killer Croc behind him. Arsenal ran over and grabbed the villain from the Dark Knight, chaining his jaws shut and tying him up with the others.

Suddenly, Arrowette, looking frantic, appeared from the smoke-filled building. "B-B-Batman!" she coughed, collapsing to her knees. Arsenal gasped and ran over, helping up his 'little sister' and dragging her over to Tempest. Batman keeled down.

"Arrowette, what-"

"N-Nightwing!" she gasped. "Hurt- b-bad... Needs... Needs help..."

Batman tossed a portable Breathalyzer to Arsenal, who covered Artemis's mouth with it. "Deep breaths, Artie... Deep breaths... Deep breaths..."

-)0(-

The smoke was so thick that Flash could hardly even see Nightwing's face, much less the Joker's. But, he could see the pistol that was right in front of his nose.

"Just move, Flashie-boy, and I'll take out Nightwing myself."

"Never!" Flash snarled.

From behind the smoke-screen, Joker frowned. "Well, then, I'll just have to take you out, too."

BAM!

Just as Joker fired, Batman rammed into his side. The flag-bullet rushed from the barrel and hit Mr. Freeze head-on. His skull seemed to explode, blood cascading out. Joker frowned again. "Oh, rats!"

Batman, his heavily-padded fist clenched tightly, knocked the air out of Joker's lungs rapidly.

"Get..." SMACK! "Away..." BONK! "From..." SNAP! "My..." CLANK! "SON!"

Joker fell, unconscious. Batman's eyes flickered over to Flash and Nightwing. He hid the sharp intake of air that he took in when his eyes rested on his son. "Flash, get him out of here. I'll get Joker and Ivy."

Flash nodded and picked his best friend up gently, bridal-style, and jetted from the building.

Batman grabbed Ivy under one arm and threw Joker (reluctantly) over his shoulder. There was nothing he could do for Mr. Freeze.

Just as he was ten feet out of the Manor, the building gave a loud BOOOOOM! and exploded behind his back, sending the Dark Knight reeling.

Then, shadow enveloped his sight.

one more chapter after this.

AND...

HAHAHAHAHA! You thought I would kill ALFRED? are you inSANE?

ROBIN: well, at least you didn't kill me!

Me: ...

ROBIN: YOU KILLED ME?

Me: I don't know! Did I? Did I not? I AM a bit of a sadist... :) Just read on to the last chapter, and you'll find out!

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