Blüdheaven, Maryland, United States of America

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Dick Grayson woke up to a blaring alarm from his phone. He had decided to sleep early this night, but someone just has to ruin his night. He was after all Nightwing. Vigilante hero of Bludheaven for fourteen years. Before that, he was Robin, partner to the Batman for seven years. He reached over to his nightstand and grabbed the phone. He looked up to see the time and what the alarm was. It was from Bruce. He silenced the alarm in time for a second alarm to blare. He looked over to see his wife, Barbara Grayson covering her head with her pillow. He leaned over her and silence the alarm before lifting the pillow up. He gave her a gentle kiss knowing that if Bruce was wanting both of them, then something was up.

"What do you think it is this time beautiful?" Dick asked sliding his fingers against her hair.

"I know he's been tracking down some stolen experimental weapons." Barbara answered before pushing herself up. Dick helped her as he has done ever since Joker took her ability to walk twelve years ago. The memory of receiving the news still haunts him. He was in a different state fighting low-level crooks while she was in the hospital.

"Well, guess I'll answer mine." he said before sliding left on the Batman-made alarm. A video of Bruce appeared on the screen. "Hey, Bruce." Dick said with a groggy smile.

"Dick if you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and both Dick and Barbara were shocked. Bruce couldn't be dead, could he? "This part of the Vengeance Protocol. Head to Gotham. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." He added before leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "Sorry for dropping everything on you but Tim, Stephanie, Cass, and the others will need your guidance in this troubling time. You are a good man Dick. Far better than I could be. Good luck. Batman out." Bruce finished before ending the message leaving the two lovebirds in silence. Barbara held onto Dick's arm.

"Wow." Dick said in shock. He looked at his speed dial and found Al's number. He clicked it wanting answers. It rang and he was still processing the final message.

"Master Grayson. I'm glad to hear from you." Alfred Pennyworth answered the phone.

"Al, what the hell is going on?" Dick asked.

"Master Wayne intervened in some activity and the North Bridge Tower collapsed. The message was sent out on his order. That is all I know." Al answered and Dick processed the information. Before he knew it, his door creaked, and saw his six-year-old daughter Rachael Grayson peek through.

"Thanks, Al. I'll be there as soon as I can." Dick said before ending the call. He put the phone on the nightstand and turned to the door. "Come on Wing. What ya doing up?" he asked as Rachael rushed up on the bed in between the parents.

"I heard an alarm and went to investigate." Rachael answered as Barbara hugged her.

"Oh, just an old friend calling." Barbara said before kissing the little girl's head.

"Yep. We're used to him calling late." Dick added still stunned at the news. Bruce was a big part of their lives. After the tragedy at Haly's Circus, Dick was taken in by Bruce and took down the men who killed his family. It's how he met Barbara, the Batgirl. The two were glad to have met. "Now we better put you back in bed."

"No. I'm too awake now." Rachael said and the parents chuckled.

"Come on Wing." Dick replied before picking up his daughter. "We're going on a trip in a few days and you'll need your sleep." he added before she cheered at the news.

1:34 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Barbara held her phone staring at the alarm Bruce sent out. He was dead. She wondered what he had to say to her. She was Batgirl for five years before the Joker shot her and tortured her father. She became Oracle and helped the team from the background. She missed her days as Batgirl. She remembered her first patrol with Bruce and Dick when he was Robin. They helped her be an amazing hero and inspiration. Hearing that Bruce was dead shocked her. She remembered seeing him return to the Cave with bullet wounds, scars, broken bones, and on the brink of death. But he left a message for Dick and one for Barbara. She swiped left afraid of what her mentor had to say.

"Barbara if you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and those words still haunt her. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to Gotham. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." He added before putting his right hand on his chin. "I know you want to think is just an error in the programming, but it's the truth. Dick will need you to hold him up during these times. I had Al and he helped me from crossing the line. Good luck. Batman out." The call ended and Barbara put her phone back as Dick came back in.

"Rachael is tucked in and falling asleep." he said as he got into bed. "So Bruce sent you a message too."

"Yeah." she replied before holding his arm and leaning on it. "I can't believe he's gone." she said and he leaned his head on hers.

"I know."

Upper East Side, Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Tim Drake was in the shower after a long night on Patrol with Stephanie Brown AKA Robin, when an alarm startled him. He peeked out of the shower and noticed it wasn't his phone. He smirked when it went silent and before he could go back into his shower, an alarm blared from his phone. It was from Batman. He grabbed his towel and dried his hands before grabbing the phone. He swiped left, unusual he noted. Bruce's face appeared on the Camera. "Hey, Bruce need me?"

"Tim if you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and Tim was blank for a moment. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to Gotham. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." Bruce added but Tim just stared at his mentor drawing blank ideas. For six years he was the third Robin after Jason died. He kept Bruce from crossing the line and entering the darkness. But Tim became the Red Robin after Jason came back from the dead as the Red Hood. He gave himself the mission to bring the second Robin to justice for the dozens he killed. He was only back in Gotham to be with Stephanie. "Tim, I know we haven't talked much since you left to find Jason and yes I knew you did that. I just want to say thank you. After Joker killed Jason, I almost crossed the dark line. You kept me from crossing it. Thank you and Good luck. Batman out."

"Holy shit." Tim whispered to himself.

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Stephanie was woken up by an alarm and looked at her alarm clock to see the time. It's official. She only had roughly thirty minutes of sleep since she was on patrol with Tim. She grabbed her phone and silent the annoying alarm. It was from Batman. Before she could swipe left, another alarm blared, this time from the bathroom. He must have sent a message to Tim too. She sat up and yawned before swiping left wondering what was so important that Bats need both Robin and Red Robin. "Hey, Bruce. What's up?"

"Stephanie if you're getting this message, I'm dead." he said and she was silent. She expected some crazy criminal was on the loose, but not this. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to the Cave. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." he added and she looked into his eyes. They were warmer than his usual coldness. "When you joined the team as Robin, you were always questioning your worth to the team. When others joined and left, you always stayed questioning yourself. What happens next is up to you. You are stronger than you think. Good luck. Batman out." Bruce finished and Stephanie was left questioning the new facts.

Old Gotham, Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America

1:28 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Cassandra Cain slipped through the window of her apartment to find the dark cold room ringing. She walked over to the counter and grabbed her phone. A message from Bats. She didn't hesitate. She swiped left and remembered when she first met Batman and Oracle. She was a runaway from her mother and father. Lady Shiva and David Cain. She was tormented by her parents for years but was able to escape the League of Shadows and fled to Gotham by accident. She broke into Barbara's apartment to forage for food and was caught, instead of calling the GCPD she helped Cassandra. Helped train her to be a better person and when Cassandra discovered the truth behind Barbara's late-night activities at Wayne Manor, she became the Batgirl for two years before becoming Orphan. Now she prepared for another mission for Batman.

"Cassandra if you're getting this message, I'm dead." he said and Cassandra was calmed. She was used to death and losing friends. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to the Cave. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." he added with a cold sigh. "Cassandra when you first entered the cave, I knew you needed guidance. You were a lost soul with a grim view of the world. I'm glad to have helped guide you to be the hero you are. Good luck. Batman out." he finished before the recording ended and Cassandra was left silent.

The Bowery, Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Duke Thomas was taking off the kevlar chest plate when an alarm startled him. He grabbed his phone and noticed it was Mr. Wayne. The two left each other roughly forty minutes ago. What could have happened between now and then? Duke knew that Wayne was going after the Sancho's arms deal with some other gang, but that should be a quick fight. He swiped left thinking that something must have come up and Bats was too busy with the arms deal. "Hey, Mr. Wayne. Need my help for something?"

"Duke if you're getting this message, I'm dead." he said and Duke dropped his phone shattering the screen, but listened. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to the Cave. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." Wayne continued and Duke sat on a stool shocked at the news. He's been Lark for a year now and while still new, was an excellent member of the team. "Duke, you're a good kid. When I brought you into the team, you reminded me of Jason. I didn't want to repeat the mistakes I made with him and I hope you will be a good man. Good luck. Batman out." he finished and Duke just sat there wondering.

Camden, New Jersey, United States of America

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Jason Todd wiped away the blood from his dagger after getting into another fight with the scum of this city. He looked around and counted twenty-eight dead one limping into a hall. He sheathed the dagger and pulled out his M9 in preparation to torture the low-level criminal to find the boss of this gang. But before he could, an alarm started him. He quickly put his left hand in his jacket and grabbed his phone. Before he could pull it out, he had to shoot the last scum with a lethal aim. A waste. He could have had some intel. Instead, he looked at his phone surprised. It was from Bruce. He hesitantly swiped left.

"Jason if you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and Jason was taken aback. Bruce couldn't be dead. He survived all kinds of hell and lunatics. The idea put fear in Jason's heart. "When we last met, you tried to kill Joker, me, and yourself. I failed you and for that I am sorry. I wanted to let you know of my death before the news tells you. I just hope you will stop the killing. It's not too late to come back to the light. Batman out." Bruce finished and Red Hood leaned against a wall still shocked at the news. Bruce was dead.

The Fortress, Al-Waskur, Qurac

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

First Lieutenant Luke Fox was in the barracks when an alarm startled him. He grabbed his phone and saw that Bruce was In need. The only problem was that Luke was four months until the tour ends and on the other side of the globe. But when he wasn't deployed, he was Batwing. Has been for three years. Ever since Riddler killed his father. He felt that if he was home instead of Afghanistan, he might have been able to save his dad. But he was flying an AH-1 SuperCobra for the Marine Corps Aviation Regiment. He sighed up for that. But that doesn't get rid of the guilt. Being Batwing helps. In the now, he plug in his earbuds and swiped left to see Bruce.

"Hey. Bruce, what's up?" Luke asked but noticed something wrong.

"Luke if you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and Luke was stunned. Another friend lost in the mission. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to the Cave. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." he added before letting out a sigh. "When your father died, you returned home broken and wanting revenge. I kept you from going down that path and you honored your father. Remember that. Good luck. Batman out." Bruce finished and Luke absorbed the information.

Iceberg Lounge, Los Angeles, California, United States of America

1:22 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Selina Kyle grabbed a glass of wine before leaning against the railing. As she took a sip of her wine, she felt a vibration from her handbag. She sat the glass down, unzipped the bag, put one earbud in, and swipe left to see Bruce's face. She smirked remembering the adrenaline thrill of being with the Bat during his patrols and the warm embrace when he was out of his suit. But something seemed different. Something dark. "Selina. If you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and Selina was shocked. He couldn't be dead. She has seen his many scars when she was with him eight years ago. His many near-death experiences. "I know I put the mission above everything in my life. I had small distractions here and there, but you were the closest thing I ever had to a real relationship. I know your thrill for the adventure always brought you back to Gotham, but you've been gone for years now and Helena needs her mother." Bruce added and Selina's shock grew. How could he know? "Yes, I know about Helena. I never stepped in because I wanted you to tell me. But now I can't. I made sure she was safe, but I can't any longer." he continued and Selina looked into his sad eyes. "I always loved you." he finished before the screen went black. Selina put the phone away and looked at the ground below thinking of Bruce. He was right. It was time for her to take a trip to Gotham. For Bruce and Helena.

Diamond Row, Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America

5:32 AM EST, June 6, 2009

Kate Kane threw off her mask and wig before leaning against her dresser. She took deep breaths as she went through what happened this night. She had watched as the North Bridge Tower collapsed. She had tried to rush over when explosions lit the night sky. But she was too late to stop it from collapsing. She was on the ground helping with the cleanup. She didn't question anything. She just tried to help. What she didn't expect was to find Batman's body. She checked for a pulse in the bloody corpse to find none. He was dead. No question about that. She quickly left the devastation and returned home. She didn't first notice the alarm blaring on the bed. She walked over and saw it was from Bruce. She swiped left in hope that the man she saw was either a fake or a trick.

"Kate if you're getting this message, I'm dead." Bruce said and Kate realize it was a pre-recorded message. "This is part of Vengeance Protocol. Head to the Cave. Al, if he's alive will get everything sorted with the team, the estate, and the situation." he continued before letting out a sigh. "Our partnership started out uneasy. You were violent with fury but I was able to get you to control your fury. You've become an excellent crime fighter. Defender of Gotham. Let the team keep you up and within the light. Good luck. Batman out." he finished and Kate sat on her bed thinking of what she could have done.


Okay I know it has been a minute, but my Court issue has been resolved, I'm officially moving, and still working on some tech issues. That is a quick update but things are looking up. Now that the update is over I will talk about the current war in Ukraine. Putin's army is failing beyond all expectations and is being a man-child by threatening Nuclear War. No one wins when the Nuclear Arsenal is used. His iron grip is loosening. His empire is crumbling. His people are abandoning him. They are a people of pride. Leaving their homeland to become refugees as Putin made many during his reign of terror. The brutal dictatorships of this world are falling apart. First is Russia from the war. Now Iran is starting to face a rebellion. These evil regimes are starting to fall apart. The will of the people is starting to rise above the iron hammer. I can only hope these rising wills can hold strong and that we can survive what is coming. Glory to Ukraine and may the threat of Nuclear Arms die.