Chapter 40)
Normal had been a funny term, especially when one took up residence in Gotham City. Still, Nightwing supposed that things would be normal chasing hoodlums after a space adventure and all of the insanity which went on there. Almost a month later, and Nightwing still found going after the street level tough to be quite endearing.
"I'm not afraid of you. Give me your best shot!"
Batgirl jumped down from her perch in the battle. She dropped the point of her boots down onto the head of the poor rough, giving it her best shot as he so nicely requested. Batgirl grabbed the man's head and slammed it down onto the ground. Another man pulled out a gun.
"We'll have none of that."
Nightwing whipped out his staff and slammed it into the man's hand. The man swung another punch and Nightwing dodged it. Nightwing came back with more jabs and then flipped the man to his back. One Judo Choke later and the man laid on the ground, almost looking at the lights. Or at least seeing them with how badly he was drooling.
Another six thugs moved down into the battle. Batgirl and Nightwing prepared to fight them both.
Starfire dropped down from the heavens. And Supergirl followed. The thugs began to unload their bullets on Supergirl who sighed.
"Seriously?"
Supergirl, very annoyed, flicked her cape to get the bullets out of it. She dove in and disarmed the man's gun. Starfire took down the thugs. One of them tried to punch her. The thug only succeeded in breaking every bone in his hand. Starfire flipped the thug down onto the ground and cracked his thug back.
Nightwing evaded the attacks of the chain-wielding thug. He flipped over the man's back and took him down to the ground.
The final thug watched the plight of his fellow goons. He threw his hands up and rushed out of the alleyway.
"So, one's running," Supergirl said.
Nightwing smiled in the direction of a flicker coming up on the other end of the alleyway.
"He's not getting far."
The thug turned all about, shaking like mad as he looked around. His gun, while loaded, was completely useless against a Kryptonian.
"Can't believe it, how is this fair? Brining Supergirl to a gun fight. It used to be one on one. It's pretty cheap if you ask me and….."
The thug turned around and ran face to face with Batman. The thug lost his nerve and screamed.
"Save me, Supergirl!"
One punch later, Batman knocked the thug down on the ground.
X-X-X
"I saw you coming about a minute before he did. You're slipping."
"Or maybe you're used to me."
Batman returned with Nightwing and Batgirl to the Clocktower, mostly because it was closer and more practical of a location to have their meeting than the Batcave.
"Good to see that you're back on your feet," Batgirl said. "Very lucky to be so."
"After all I've been through, I thought that was the end," Batman said. "The survival instincts I've learned over the years kicked in."
"Although it was fortunate that Superman and Supergirl found you when they did."
"Yes."
There had been many bumps in the road between the trio over the years. Many secrets which were kept which caused their trust to be not what it could have been in the past. And perhaps, perhaps, many more to come in the not so distant future. Regardless, they had been able to work together.
"The League is back in full operations and all evidence seems Starro is currently locked up in a Zoo halfway across the universe thanks to Lobo."
Well, at least one thing came out of it. Out of all of the people out there, of course it would have to be Lobo who made out like a bandit.
"And I've been observing you from afar."
"Of course you have. Just hope you didn't watch too closely."
Often intimated, but never duplicated, Batman's eyes drifted onto Nightwing for a good long moment. Nightwing had been mostly immune to the stare. Mostly, because it still hit him at the worst possible time.
"You've grown into your own man beyond Gotham City. And that's what I wanted. I never wanted you to follow my legacy, but be an extension of it. You have your own methods and they get the job done, most the time. And after last month's near miss, I was staring my mortality directly on in the face. There may be a chance coming soon where I might leave and not comeback."
"Well, that's a happy thought," Batgirl dryly said.
"When that happens, I will leave this world satisfied. Satisfied that there will be someone who would improve upon what I left behind."
Nightwing just frowned.
"This seems like a retirement speech."
"Not yet. There is still much to be done. But I stared Death in the eye. And she gave me one last chance to tie up some loose ends."
Oh, that was a morbid statement if there ever was one. Dick was not sure whether he liked where this one was going or not. He supposed the best thing to do was to let it play out and see where it went.
X-X-X
Bleez and Faora had been led off by Jessica and Jade. The two women understood why they were being brought out in restraints, although neither of them liked it.
"Your assistance has been favorable," Jade told them. "And the two of you will only receive light sentences. It may be a short imprisonment."
"Yes, as long as you don't send me back to the Phantom Zone, anything is fine," Faora said.
"You will be assisting Supergirl in her quest to find the Nova-Javelins until your term starts," Jade explained. "And Bleez, you will most likely be on probation. You will return to the Red Lanterns and ensure they remain in check."
"I make no promises," Bleez said. "But, I suppose the Guardians are going to throw the book at me otherwise. Despite the present I brought them."
"Yes," Jade said as she pulled a face. "Atrocitus's head certainly caused a little bit of a stir when it had been delivered. Which I'm sure was your intention this entire time."
Bleez just grinned. Well, for the most part at least. Anything to rattle the Guardians, she intended to do. They could use a little bit of lightening up, although one might argue her methods did not involve lightening up.
"Faora will need to be released into my custody."
Maxima turned up, ready to return to her home planet. She would return and those who did not betray her would be rewarded. Those who betrayed her, well there were many fates far worse than death. Nightwing, Supergirl, and Batgirl approached to see them off as well.
"I argued that you should be let off with a warning," Nightwing said.
"Yes, and I appreciate it," Faora said. "The sentence should not be that steep."
"It will be fine," Bleez said.
She lost a lot and gained something in return. Perhaps more control over her own powers and also a chance to use the Red Lanterns as a force for something beyond mindless rage. They helped take down a Starfish parasite. In a small way, but a very good way.
Maxima turned to Supergirl. The two had their differences, but perhaps they could become useful allies after what they had been through.
"Send Kal-El my regards. And my condolences that he missed the chance of a lifetime."
"I'll be sure to break it to him gently," Kara dryly responded. "Keep out of trouble."
"Oh, I'm certain that no trouble will be worse than what I went through with Faora," Maxima said. "I will be back when the heiress is born. And call on you if you need anything."
The casual announcement that Maxima was pregnant with Dick's child caused amusement to all of them. She handed Dick a device and left with the Green Lanterns, Faora, and Bleez.
"You know I took precautions, right?" Nightwing said.
"And apparently, she found a way around the implant," Batgirl said. "When a woman wants a baby, I'll guess she'll find a way."
"Oh, she will," Kara said. "Not that I'd do such a thing, even if I can easily reprogram it to make your discharge even more potent. But not now. Maybe in a few years."
Kara gave Dick a sweet smile and kissed him on the cheek. Dick thought he would have a talk with Tamara about this.
"But, if any of us want children, seriously, we'll have a grown up discussion about it," Kara said. "Won't we, Babs?"
"Yes," Barbara said. "We will."
Barbara had thought about it a couple of times. However, she was worried that she had been focused on her work too much to be a fit mother. Which, ironically, would make her more qualified to raise a child than most parents these days.
"Good thing Kory and Komi are not with us now," Kara said. "Neither of them would let you hear the end of this and won't quit teasing you about knocking them up next."
X-X-X
"Sounds like an adventure."
"And thanks to your upgrades, I managed to get out of it alive."
Dick joined Tam at her apartment and the two shared a drink. Given the circumstances, Dick needed it and Tam was more than happy to give it to him.
"And you're going to be a father," Tam said. "To a crazed warrior alien queen. Not sure I should offer my condolences, or my congratulations."
"Given the circumstances, I'll go with a little bit of both," Dick said.
Tam poured Dick another drink. He looked like he needed it. And he took another drink.
"I've got a few more upgrades which may work in the future to negate any more happy accidents. Just try not to sleep with any aliens that don't have DNA on file to test with."
"Noted," Nightwing responded. "Well, it's been a hell of a time."
"It has," Tam said. "Good to see you're finally back to normal."
Tam put down the drink and decided to dive in. Good thing she was focused on her career, because Tam could reprogram that implant Dick used to negate his essence. All kidding aside, Tam decided to celebrate their victory by locking lips onto him with a kiss.
Hard to believe this all started with a stolen, useless gem. It ended up throwing them headlong into an intergalactic conspiracy.
For those who are reading for the plot, thanks for reading, but your journey ends. For the rest of you, the shameless smut continues to the next chapter