Too Damn Long
By Rigel7Sold
Disclaimer: Nightwing created by Marv Wolfman(?) Unsure. Also, don't know who wrote 'how long is Forever?'
Warp had caused a lot of... tension for Ro- Nightwing. It was because of Warp that she went away. The irrational side of him was conflicted, partly feeling consumed with rage, and partly feeling too proud to miss her. He was very irrational, even when he was younger. He just couldn't hear people who weren't himself or Batman, it seemed. He couldn't take sound advice from anybody. He was an emotional trainwreck with a slight inferiority complex. Over the years, it managed to get much, much worse.
Time went by, and Bruce took ill. Richard was told that he was not allowed to replace him, that it was, "This man's burden, not yours." But Richard knew. He didn't turn out the way Bruce wanted him to; Even with Richard in his late twenties, Bruce just didn't think he was ready. I think both of them knew that he would never be ready, that he'd never get his head on straight. They never talked about it. Not once. Neither was willing to admit any weakness. At least, not in front of the other. When he knew Bruce was watching, Richard tried to act like he would.
Time went on yet still. Richard wore a new costume, but was sure to grow his hair out. He had forgotten the Titans. He didn't care to remember, as if it was some trifling thing,that ultimately signified nothing.The days grew indistinguishable, and even the raindrops seemed somehow alone.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock. As less and less could be recognized, more and more was forgotten, and soon, Nightwing didn't know the meaning of 'excessive force.' During a routine investigation, he injured fifteen people needlessly. He did carry one thing from his youth, however; The identity of his parents' murderer. One fine, rainy day (It always seemed to rain), he paid a visit to now 80-year old Anthony "Fats" Zucco. Only one of them survived the encounter, and you'll never guess which one. "Next time, check for survivors," Richard said to Zucco, moments before brutally attacking him with a pipe.
He forgot. Forgot every single lesson he'd learned. Times were trying. After all; He was atWar. And in War, as he may have reasoned, to defeat the enemy one must become the enemy.Everything was so ordinary, so common, that he forgot.Forgot about the rain. It hardly registered with him anymore. Very few things did. The fog got so thick, that he could barely see anymore. He saw, though. Depravity, debauchery, cruelty... he knew itwas out there. Taking blind swings in the darkness, staggering from place to place, oh how the mighty had fallen.One thought remained in his head throughout- "Tonight, I am the Law."
A/N: First in a series, I threaten.