AN:

Loftcat27: Yes! Go Nightwing! We are rooting for you. I love the friendship between Nightwing and Artemis so much. And yay for Nightwing discovering his self-worth. I'm glad you enjoy it as well. :)

This chapter is a big one – not necessarily in size but in meaning. ;)

19. Legacy

Nightwing stepped out of the freezer. The Talons looked at him – and then directly Cobb. They were waiting for him to give them an order. But the Head-Talon was as surprised as they were. He watched Nightwing closely. Suspicious but too arrogant to believe that Nightwing could harm him.

Nightwing was still slowed down from the cold. Still cradling his mangled hands. He forced himself not to look at the gaping holes. Trying to ignore the thought that was running through his head: His claws were gone. Cobb had taken them from him.

The emptiness at his fingertips made Nightwing feel vulnerable. Talons didn't just use weapons. They were weapons themselves. Their claws made sure that they could never run out of things to fight with. No one was stupid enough to capture a Talon. Because if they got free, they would rip you apart. The claws were a reassurance. A safety net. Talons earned them with pain. The claws became a part of them together with the pain.

Nightwing looked at his empty fingertips. The longer he looked, the number he felt. Nothing counted anymore. Nightwing was not a real Talon anymore. He was ruined. Deformed. He- No. He refused to let Cobb ruin him. Cobb couldn't ruin him. Cobb had tried and failed to run him.

Maybe Nightwing wasn't whole. Maybe he would always have bad days where he struggled to even get a word out. Where he was haunted by his past sins. Where he was overwhelmed by his sudden freedom to make decisions. But that was OK. Nightwing didn't need to be whole to be happy. Bad days were alright. That's what Artemis had taught him.

He pushed his hands into the pocket of his suit. One of his fingertips brushed against Zatanna's necklace. The escrima sticks, the necklace and three knives were everything Nightwing had left. Not enough to beat Cobb. But nothing could beat Cobb. At least in a physical fight.

"Cobb only wins if you decide to let him win. If you let him manipulate you", Slade had signed at Nightwing, "He wants you to give in. Then, don't give in."

Slade was right. His advice came from a place of selfishness. But that didn't make it any less true.

Batman had taught Nightwing about psychological warfare. Observing. Getting into your opponent's head. Finding their weak points. Batman depended upon it. He was an amazing fighter, but he was only human. The mind was as important as the body. Cobb had never taught Nightwing how to fight with his mind. Because Talons weren't supposed to have thoughts. Nightwing had to be smart if he wanted to defeat Cobb. He had to be smart like Batman to win.

Cobb's fighting skills were unmatched. But his mind was weak. Otherwise, he wouldn't feel the need to keep an iron grip on everyone around him. Nightwing needed to make Cobb's control crumble.

Cobb smirked: "Are you here to give yourself up? To beg and hope that I'll let your little friends live?"

Another thing that Cobb did: He constantly underestimated others.

"No", Nightwing crossed his arms.

Cobb would never let Nightwing's friends live. No matter what he did. Because as long as his friends lived, there would always be someone who could remind Nightwing that he was loved.

Cobb frowned: "Do you still think that you can defeat me?"

Nightwing stayed silent. Letting Cobb wait. The Head-Talon grew angrier when Nightwing didn't immediately answer him. He stomped towards Nightwing aiming to backhand him again. Nightwing used his escrima sticks to blocked Cobb's blow. Another thing that Cobb did: Beat everything down that came into his way.

"You liar", Nightwing said.

Cobb ripped the escrima sticks out of Nightwing's hands and beat one of it against his jaw. It cracked. The impact threw Nightwing to the floor. He wiped the blood away as his jaw reset itself.

"You think you can insult me?", Cobb asked, "You better think twice, creature."

"Beg not make difference", Nightwing said quietly, "Kill friends anyway to hurt me."

Cobb chuckled: "Maybe you lost some of your naivete with the Bat. So, this is your big last stand against me? Quite pathetic. You are even weaker than before without your claws."

He threw the bloody escrima sticks away and crouched in front of Nightwing.

"Cobb right. Weaker than before", Nightwing stayed on the floor.

Cobb would just beat him down again if he stood up. But Nightwing wouldn't give up just because he was down. Jason had taught him to always fight no matter the circumstances.

"I want to live", Nightwing whispered, "Not matter what you do. Already take everything from me."

"And if I kill all of them in front of you?"

"Still want live", Nightwing said, "Honor them and remember what they teach me. Not beg."

Cobb crouched in front of Nightwing – smirking: "So, we're in a stalemate, Little One. You won't beg to die. And I won't let you live your happy, little life."

Nightwing dared to look into Cobb's eyes. He felt slightly more confident.

"It's a nice trick", Cobb said, "But it's not enough. Your last stand is a desperate one."

"Jealous", Nightwing said, "Cannot see me with others."

"I wouldn't call it jealousy. More of a possessiveness. I like to keep the things that I own close."

"You love me", Nightwing said.

Cobb froze for a moment. Surprise flickered over his face. Nightwing dared to hope. Maybe Cobb's realization could save him.

"All owners love their pets", Cobb stood up, "Come with me. Indulge me a bit."

Nightwing frowned wondering what Cobb had planned.

"I can force you", Cobb said, "But it would be an inconvenience for both of us."

Nightwing knew. Cobb could force him to do anything – except break. So, he stood up and followed Cobb. The Head-Talon was nonchalant. Projecting an image of complete control. But Nightwing was watching. He had to find a weakness in Cobb's mind and strike when he could.

The cold was wearing off. Nightwing's fingers twitched. His right hand mended itself. The left one still struggled. Nightwing forced himself to ignore the emptiness.

He followed Cobb through the dark hallway. The one that housed the cells and torture chambers.

"We're making a trip to the past", Cobb said.

He didn't even attempt to restrain Nightwing. Nightwing couldn't run no matter how often he tried.

They stopped in front of a wooden door. It tugged on the back of Nightwing's memories.

Cobb opened the door. It was a simple room with a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a large mirror in the corner. Nightwing looked at the untouched bed. Flashes of memory hit him. Nightwing had sought out this room in search for comfort. He had been scared. Alone. Only his grandfather had made him feel safe. Nightwing had still been an innocent child then.

"You remember", Cobb stood behind Nightwing putting his hand on his shoulders.

"I trusted you", Nightwing said.

"You did. And it was one of the most precious things I ever had. A little boy who thought the world of me."

"Why bring?", Nightwing turned around looking at Cobb.

"Nostalgia, I guess", Cobb shrugged, "It doesn't matter at this point. Open the wardrobe for me. The right door."

Nightwing frowned. But he was curious. So, he did what Cobb said. The wardrobe was empty except for a picture frame.

"Take it", Cobb sat down on the bed looking at Nightwing.

Nightwing watched it more closely. It was a black-and-white photo taken in front of a circus tent. A young man had his arm looped around the waist of a black-haired woman. Young Cobb wore a leotard. His hair was long and messy, speaking of an inner calmness that Cobb had lost after all these decades. He wasn't a Talon at this point. Just a young man with an easy smile who looked completely enamored with the woman beside him. Each of the couple held a baby on their arm. Their life looked simple but happy.

"Twins", Cobb said, "The lights of my life."

Nightwing stared at the photo. Twins. One of them must be his grandparent. Nightwing didn't remember if he had ever met them.

"Come here", Cobb patted the bed next to him.

Nightwing sat down next to him giving him the photo. He sighed looking at it as if he wanted to reach inside the frame. Nightwing watched him closely.

"The lovely woman was Amelia. My wife", he said, "She was one of a kind. The most talented acrobat in the whole circus. There wasn't a performance when she didn't take everyone's breathe away. Our children took after her in that regard. I loved watching them."

Nightwing frowned looking at the woman more closely. She looked gentle. A protective hand laid on her baby's head. Her hair was tied back in the photo but Nightwing suspected that they shared the same inky black hair color. He wondered what had happened to her.

"I loved her so much", Cobb said, "And my children."

Nightwing tilted his head. He knew that he was getting sucked in. Cobb was trying to bait him again. Pain and honey, as Slade had said. But Nightwing couldn't help but be intrigued. He had never learned about his family. It was nice. Sitting next to his Great Grandfather. Listening to him talk. How did Cobb call it? Indulging.

"You are right, little creature", Cobb still looked at the picture, "I love you very much. You are just as soft-hearted as Amelia was. Too naïve and too fragile. But so full of life."

Nightwing bit his lip. He didn't know what to say. Cobb seemed serene. Nightwing knew it was a lie. It was only a question of time until Cobb would explode. Nightwing wouldn't go along with this game.

"Let friends and Talons go", Nightwing said, "Give yourself over to Justice League."

"It sounds tempting. The quiet life", Cobb smiled softly ignoring Nightwing's demand, "You wanted to run away with me once. It was shortly after I had obtained you. You probably don't remember."

Nightwing didn't. It was too vague.

Cobb put his arm around Nightwing's shoulder and pulled him close: "I loved being a father. You reminded me of it."

Nightwing frowned. Cobb seemed to be caught in his own world. His fingers stroked over the faces of his family.

Nightwing frowned. He reached for one of his knives. Maybe he could-

Cobb fastened his grip around Nightwing's shoulder: "Don't move, Little One. Don't destroy my moment. It will be over soon. Let me indulge one last time."

There it was again. Indulge. Nightwing didn't know what it meant. Jason would. Nightwing's chest felt constricted. Cobb was calm. But Nightwing felt like Cobb was laying out a trap.

Cobb's voice was still calm when he said: "I wanted to make it easier for myself. It is easier to kill something that is tainted. So tainted that it begs you to kill it. It would be noble to put it out of its misery."

Nightwing felt like Cobb was fastening a noose around his neck. He didn't dare to move.

"But you don't break, do you, Little Bird?", Cobb swiped a strand of hair out of Nightwing's hair, "You were close when I took your claws, but you put yourself back together again."

Nightwing looked at the door wondering if he could make it in time. Cobb noticed his gaze and put his hand on Nightwing's shoulder again. Trapping him.

"You see", Cobb said, "There never was a stalemate. I'd prefer you to beg, but no matter what happens you won't make it out of here. Do you want to know why?"

Nightwing's throat felt constricted. He nodded.

"Because I love you."

Nightwing whimpered. He had thought that Cobb wouldn't kill him because he loved him. How naïve of him. Cobb was a monster. And monsters killed the people they loved.

"You are a distraction from my real purpose. A little weakness. I'd like to think that you were sent to test me. By whom? I don't know. I've never been a believer myself."

Cobb's thumb stopped on Amelia's face. Caressing it.

"I told her very much a similar thing", Cobb said, "She was just like you. Listening in horror. Knowing that pleading wouldn't make a difference."

Nightwing felt sick. Cobb had killed Amelia. Ended the life of the woman he loved for some imaginary mission in his head.

Cobb lifted his hand and smashed the picture frame against the bed post. It broke. Another picture fell out. It was bloodstained. Cobb gave it to Nightwing.

Black-and-white again. Amelia's still body laid on the floor. Somewhere inside. Her eyes were glazy looking into nothingness. Nightwing's hands shook. Her neck was twisted and marred with wounds were claws had dug into her skin.

"You see", Cobb put his hand on the back of Nightwing's neck, "I like to indulge every now and then. But this picture always reminds me of my higher purpose. And the sacrifices I made for it."

Tears filled Nightwing's eyes. Not just sorrow but also anger. He screamed at Cobb as loudly as his weak voice allowed: "You didn't sacrifice anything."

Cobb backhanded Nightwing: "Don't speak about things you know nothing about. I had to kill the woman I love because she kept me from serving the Court. And now I have to kill you because you are distracting me from my new aim: Becoming a part of the Light. I will earn their respect and be known as the most feared killer in the world. People will tremble in front of me. I won't be someone's puppet anymore."

Nightwing shook his head. Almost laughing. Cobb acted as if all the other Talons were below him. But they all wanted the same. The Court was still controlling Cobb's movements without him knowing it.

Cobb frowned. Unhappy with Nightwing's reaction. His façade of control was cracking.

He stood up walking towards the door. Cobb turned the lock in sadistic calmness. He broke the key and threw it in front of Nightwing's feet in mockery.

"You aren't getting out of this", Cobb said, "You can't escape me."

Nightwing jumped up. He had to do something. All his instincts were screaming at him to fight. But Cobb gripped Nightwing by the arm and shoved him to the floor. He slowly walked towards Nightwing. Nightwing slipped back trying to escape from Cobb. Cobb was completely insane. Nightwing's back hit something hard. The mirror.

Cobb crouched in front of him taking out a knife: "You won't leave this room. Keep still and make it easier for both of us."

Cobb gripped Nightwing by the hair pulling his chin up. The knife wandered towards Nightwing's neck.

"It is always so unfortunate", Cobb said, "Such a waste. But it has to be done. I held Amelia after I killed her. I cried over her corpse. Killing something you love is painful. You can't even imagine. I had to give up so much for my mission. The path to greatness is a hard one."

Did Cobb want Nightwing to pity him? Because Nightwing would never pity someone who saw his loved ones as pawns to be eliminated.

"I'll take a picture of you once it's done", Cobb said, "A reminder of my sacrifice."

The knife dug into Nightwing's skin. He had to do something. His thoughts were racing. Nightwing wouldn't be able to overpower Cobb. He needed to distract him.

"Or wait", Cobb tilted his head in thought, "I have an even better idea. I'll take your body with me and freeze it. Put it in a display case so that I can never stray again."

Panic rose in Nightwing's chest. The lifeless face of Nora Fries filled his thoughts. Nightwing wouldn't end up the same way. He wouldn't become a shrine for a monster that wanted to trap him.

Cobb pushed the knife into Nightwing's throat. Nightwing felt the warm blood on his skin and the pain. With shaky hands, he pulled Zatanna's necklace out of his suit and put it around Cobb's neck. It was his last option.

"What did you do?", Cobb halted, parts of his mask crumbling again.

"Look", Nightwing said, blood spluttering out of his mouth.

Cobb looked up seeing his face in the mirror. The gold had vanished from his eyes and had turned into a clear blue. His skin had a healthy tan and wrinkles adorned his middle-aged face. Cobb touched his own face examining the skin. He seemed horrified. Shrinking back from the mirror.

Nightwing's throat jerked to heal itself.

"What did you do?", Cobb screamed becoming more unhinged.

"See what you lose."

"I didn't lose anything", Cobb was shaking, "It was all a necessary sacrifice for greatness."

Nightwing shook his head: "Not greatness. Just become monster. Puppet for others."

"I'm part of the Light. I'm building myself a legacy."

"Not part of Light. Luthor built weapon to destroy you if need. Not trust you. See you as pet. Like Court."

"You're lying."

No one could beat Cobb. Only Cobb could beat Cobb. Nightwing only had to push him over the edge.

Nightwing shook his head: "Cobb not master. Pet like all Talons. Disposable."

Cobb snarled and ripped off the necklace. His monstrous form returned. Cobb stared at himself transfixed by what he had become. Then, his fists smashed the mirror. He smashed again and again. He wasn't looking at Nightwing. Too focused on destroying his image.

No one hated Cobb more than Cobb.

Nightwing took out his three knives. He slammed all of them into Cobb's spine. One blade was not enough to paralyze him. But three were. Cobb lost control over his limps. He tumbled to the ground staring at Nightwing in shock.

"Not worth it", Nightwing said softly, "Know. Stop lying to yourself."

Cobb's face fell. His eyes became wet. He looked at something behind Nightwing. Nightwing didn't turn around to see. He gripped Cobb's neck and broke it.

Cobb slumped onto the ground, like his strings had been cut. Nightwing could kill him. But he wouldn't. Nightwing wasn't a killer. Only Talon was. So, he took some wire out of Cobb's suit and wound it around his neck. It wouldn't stop Cobb's healing factor forever, but it would slow him down. Nightwing broke the rest of Cobb's limbs and restrained them.

Then, he slammed his fingers into Cobb's stomach wincing when the flesh didn't give way. Right. Nightwing didn't have claws anymore. Instead, he took one of the shards of the mirror and sliced Cobb's stomach open. Nightwing felt a dark satisfaction wash over him when he ripped out Cobb's innards and filled his insides with the shards from the mirror. Even Cobb would need time to heal from that.

Still, Nightwing needed to be quick. He had five minutes at most. Nightwing gripped Cobb's limp body by the hair and pulled him over the floor. He looked at the space where Cobb had looked. The family photo was there. It had landed on the floor during their fight. Nightwing picked it up and put it into his suit. Treasuring what once had been.

He kicked the door open and was greeted by a commotion of Talons who shrank back when they saw the scene in front of them. They tilted their heads as they saw the unconscious form of their master. But they were lost. Cobb hadn't given them any orders.

"Not hurt you. Not hurt me", Nightwing said.

He couldn't expect them to help him. Nightwing himself wouldn't have. He would have been too confused. Too lost. But the Talons stayed still – some of them nodding. They resisted in the only way they knew: Passively.

Nightwing pulled Cobb's body through the hallway. The other Talons made space for him.

Nightwing reached the freezing chamber. Cobb's body was twitching.

Jason was growing restless. The Talons had long stopped trying to enter the room while Nightwing and Cobb 'talked'. They only blocked the door making sure that the Team couldn't leave. Jason paced through the room feeling completely useless.

"We have to go after him", Jason said.

"No", Batman overlooked Connor and Kaldur who were still hitting against the wall, "Nightwing is out there to give us time."

"He'll die."

"We will all die if we don't use the time Nightwing is giving us."

Connor and Kaldur were exhausted. They were breathing heavily. But the dent in the wall had severely grown.

Jason protested: "We have to-"

Batman addressed the Team: "As soon as possible you are getting out of the sewers. Taking care of M'Gann. And you call the League to help us."

"And you, old man?"

"I'll get Nightwing."

"You'll both die."

"I won't leave without trying", Batman said.

Jason stepped in front of Batman standing up to his full height. He was almost as tall as the old man: "You are a fucking hypocrite. You want me to just lea-"

"As amusing as this is", Slade stood up, "This is getting tiring."

He had gotten out of the restraints during their fighting. Jason held up the katana he had taken from Slade. The mercenary rolled his eyes and walked towards the wall.

He hit against the dent and smirked when his hand broke through.

"See?", Slade said, "That's how you do it."

"Bastard", Jason cursed, "Only because they did the work first."

Batman narrowed his eyes: "Betray us, Deathstroke and-"

"Why should I betray you?", Slade said, "What would I gain? Make no mistake, Wayne, I'm going to kill you at some point. But only for a sizeable sum."

Connor, Kaldur and Slade ripped together on the wall widening the hole. They would soon be able to escape. Jason could hear the rush of the sewer water. A disgusting smell filled the freezing room.

Jason held Slade's katana up: "I don't care, old man. I'm going after N right no-"

The door opened. Jason tensed. What did this mean? Had N succeeded? Or was he-

N stood in front of him. Drenched in blood and smelling as if he had bathed in someone's guts. He looked tense. His hand was clenched around Cobb's hair pulling his body with him.

"Holy shit", Jason said.

The others were speechless, too. What were you supposed to say to this sight?

"Freeze Cobb now", N's voice was barely there.

He was completely exhausted. Physically and emotionally. His knees shook and he looked like he would break down any moment now.

Batman opened one of the glass coffins to stuff Cobb inside.

"Remind me to never piss you off", West looked at Cobb with wide eyes.

West was right. N had fucking destroyed Cobb. His neck was broken and fixated with wire. Same as all his other limbs. His stomach was slashed open and filled with – Jason did a double take - glass shards instead of organs. They flew out of Cobb's stomach as it healed itself. Jason smirked. The bastard deserved every second of it.

Nightwing struggled with pulling Cobb towards the coffin. Cobb would be up again soon. And he would kick their collective asses if they didn't do something quickly. Nightwing made a distressed noise and kicked against Cobb's legs as they strained against the wire, rebreaking them.

Jason knew exactly what he needed to do. Nightwing had defeated Cobb. Jason would go the last step. He would do it for N and every other person Cobb had tormented.

He lifted Slade's katana and reveled in the feeling of power it gave him. Righteousness. N would thank him. He would be free.

Jason sliced Cobb's head off before anyone in the room could react. Cobb's body thudded to the floor. Nightwing was frozen still holding Cobb's head in his hands. Apparently not realizing yet, what Jason had done.

Cobb was dead. Their nightmare was over.

And the room was quiet.

Nightwing fell to his knees. He poked Cobb's headless body as if he couldn't believe that his abuser was dead. Jason feared that N would disassociate again. But it would be fine. They would deal with it. The physical threat was over.

Batman stomped towards Jason: "You killed him."

His voice filled the room. Unwittingly, Jason shrank back. Batman was pissed. As expected.

But he lifted his chin. Jason wouldn't be sorry for doing what he had done: "I did."

Batman shoved Jason back. His voice was low when he said: "We don't kill. There's always another way."

"You don't kill."

"We had a deal, Jason."

"And I've broken it before."

Batman balled his fists. Glaring at Jason in deep-seated anger. And betrayal. Jason frowned. Had the old man trusted him that much?

Artemis – who was still leaning over M'Gann - said: "We have to leave."

Nightwing was still motionless. Staring down at Cobb's dead body. His eyes were wet and sobs were shaking his body. Jason hated that N was crying over his abuser's corpse. Cobb didn't deserve anything.

Jason walked towards his brother, but Bruce held him back.

"You've done enough", Bruce said.

"I've saved us all."

"You didn't. You let yourself be led by revenge."

"I see nothing wrong with that. Cobb deserved it."

"It's not about deserving. It's about giving yourself moral guidelines that you operate in."

"I killed a killer, Batman", Jason balled his fists, "What is your fucking problem?"

Batman shook his head, deflecting: "This is not the time and place for this discussion. We're leaving."

Wally gripped Nightwing's hand and helped him up. He mumbled something into Nightwing's ear. Comforting him. Nightwing seemed dazed as if he was just blindly following West's lead.

Batman's rejection felt like a slap in the face. But Jason had known that it would come. The Red Hood and Batman would never be able to work together. Their codes were on opposite sides of each other. Batman saw it now. He would probably try to stop Hood. But Hood wouldn't let himself be stopped. Too bad that N was caught in the middle of it.

Bruce had accepted Nightwing as a son. But he would never accept Jason. No matter how much Jason secretly looked up to Batman. Jason tried to not let it sting. He would just be happy for N.

Batman led them through the sewers. They reached the surface climbing out of a manhole. Outside, the sun had risen again. They earned confused glances from Gotham's inhabitants. Pedestrians hurried along eager to get out of the range of a pissed-off Batman.

Batman spoke into his communicator: "Batman here."

"Watchtower", Superman answered, "Are you injured, Batman?"

"We need medical assistance now. Ms. Martian is down", Batman said, "Knife to the shoulder."

"Sending assistance now", Clark said, "I'm coming, too."

"That's not necessary, Superman", Batman growled, "We are in Gotham."

Clark sighed: "I can see that, Batman. But I would like-"

"No", Batman said.

Nightwing tilted his head. Looking at Batman: "Not see Superman long."

Batman took in Nightwing's exhausted demeanor. The tears that still glistened on his cheeks. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Fine", Batman said.

Jason smirked to himself. N had the old man wrapped around his finger. Batman may act like a tough guy but he would try everything to cheer Nightwing up.

"Well", Slade said, "It wasn't nice doing business with you. See you."

He ripped his katana out of Jason's hand.

"You are still a wanted man, Slade", Batman growled.

"Come and get me, Wayne", Slade saluted in mockery when Batman didn't move, "Thought so."

He grappled up a building and vanished from their sights.

Batman sighed taking in the scene in front of him. M'Gann was laying on the floor, mumbling about something to stay awake. But she was holding on. She would be fine. Connor, Kaldur and Artemis were leaning over her, reassuring her.

Nightwing and Wally were sitting on the curb side. Nightwing looked exhausted slumped against West. The speedster was nursing his own injuries – that manly consisted of nasty claw marks – and didn't seem bothered by the fact that his boyfriend was drenched in blood, intestines and sewer water. True love, apparently.

"It's over, Babe", West whispered to Nightwing, "You did it."

Nightwing squeezed Wally's hand, mumbling into the crook of his neck: "We did it."

It was terribly cheesy but for some reason it made Jason feel warm inside. West was a good guy.

Jason felt like an outsider. He was a killer and he wouldn't stop. He had a mission. Red Hood didn't belong with a team of superheroes – which was a shame because Jason had started to like these people.

"Come here, Jay", Nightwing looked up.

And Jason did. He sat down next to him. Nightwing's offer meant a lot. His brother didn't hate him for killing Cobb. That was what counted. Jason would deal with Batman later.

Now, they would enjoy their victory. Nightwing looked at the street in front of them. He wiped away his tears.

"He's dead", Nightwing mumbled to himself, as if he could only understand it now.

"You are free, N", Jason said.

A shadow hovered over them. The League's ship was there.

"Someone wanted a lift?", Superman landed in front of them.

Nightwing smiled at the hero – despite his tears. Jason had never seen his brother smile like that. He was practically shining. Nightwing looked like he had lost a ton of emotional baggage today. Jason had made the right decision. And he would bear the consequences.

AN: I can't believe it, but there is only one chapter left. I hope Cobb's downfall was satisfying! ;)