Thanks to those who checked out the first chapter of this story, and to any new readers who come along. This is quite a large story planned with many different characters, so hopefully it does justice to the characters and expectations going forward. Any feedback is much appreciated and if there is any suggestion of characters anyone would like to see please don't hesitate to suggest. It is still very much an open story going forward with nothing concrete as of this moment. My plan is to release a chapter a week, and hopefully I can follow through on that goal. Anyways, enjoy the next chapter and thanks for tuning in!

Chapter 2

50 years later - Present day

Gotham

The city of Gotham was oddly quiet the night before Halloween. Streets were calm, citizens were orderly, and a wave of comfort had left everyone and everything feeling almost…safe. What was usually a bitter battlefield between good and evil had become somewhat normal.

That comfort, that false sense of safety, made Bruce Wayne's paranoia that much greater as he stood atop a building overlooking the city he called home. The playboy persona was gone, replaced with his true self underneath his coated suit.

There was no rest for him, knowing one slip and people could die. That was the responsibility he took upon himself when he became the Batman, and for almost two decades he carried that weight on his shoulders.

Even know watching the quiet night alone he couldn't come to grips with an 'off night'. Somewhere out there someone was planning something, and he'd be ready like he always was.

"Calm night for you to be brooding," A voice called out.

Batman barely turned towards the voice of Nightwing.

"What are you doing here Dick."

Dick Grayson could say without debate that he was one of the few people on this planet who truly knew Bruce Wayne as a person. He'd spent half a life time with him, training and learning, while growing accustom to certain paths one needed to cross in order to talk to…the Batman.

"Relax," Nightwing offered. He held his hands high in mock surrender while stepping closer towards the side of the building. He danced the edge effortlessly like he'd been raised at birth. "This is business."

Batman didn't budge.

"Okaaaay then." Pulling out his phone, Nightwing highlighted a map of a three block radius in Blüdhaven that puzzled him. "Barbara patch us in the timeline."

Batman looked over his shoulder just the slightest, his curiosity getting the better of him, as he heard another one of his proteges talk over their linked coms.

"Quiet night Bruce?" Barbara teased earning a glare from her boss.

"Was before you two," He replied evenly. "What am I looking at?"

Nightwing opened the hologram on the phone as the light neon display illuminated between the two over the screen giving them a 3D layout of the scene. The camera rotated, likely controlled by Barbara's movement's, before it settled high above on the edge of an apartment complex where a red dot blinked repeatedly.

"Henry Grant," Nightwing explained gesturing towards the red dot. "43 year old dental hygienist. Born and raised in Gotham, wife, one kid, and overall under the radar kind of person. Until he jumped those 5 stories and killed himself."

The camera shifted a block away to a corner street where another red dot blinked.

"Alice Kaur." Nightwing took a heavy sigh before he continued. "She was walking her dog, when she decided to jump the corner and dive head first into an oncoming city bus. Dead on impact."

A low murmur came from Barbara back at base before the camera panned out and 4 four blinking red lights appeared on the burrowing buildings in the area. They must have been about a 100 yards from each dot, too close together not to be suspicious.

"Theories," Batman said quietly. He processed the information rather quickly but was curious to see where Dick's head was at in all this.

"Honestly," Nightwing began unsure. He took a step back and kicked there air aimlessly. "I'm stumped. That's six suicides in that area alone. I've been there, dozens of times, I can't speak for people's states of mind but nothing their screams this kind of horror."

There was horror in every one Bruce knew. "What's the time frame?"

"That's the weird part." Barbara added listening in. She clicked a few keys and pulled up each report. "Time frame places each one minutes apart. Almost like a domino effect."

Batman's eyes hardened under his cowl.

He didn't say it, but everything that Barbara said did lead him to agree that it was indeed….weird. It wasn't uncommon as one thought when it came to mass suicide, but this could hardly be justified as such.

"Connections?" He finally asked.

Nightwing shook his head already thinking the same. "Checked, Babs did too. None of them shared much of anything. Except victim 3 and 5 who used the same convenience store that was between each their apartment building. By definition all six were strangers. Youngest being 22 and the oldest 64. Nothing popped out. No affiliations, groups, careers, nothing that links anyone."

"All seemed happy too," Barbara added but then bit her cheek. "Well as happy as one could be depending on how you'd read their social media pages. Nothing pops out, except maybe a tweet or like about cagey political preference but that's all relative regardless. These were everyday people."

"That doesn't mean they weren't going through anything," Batman countered. It was easy to fake a smile, he'd know, half his life was pretending to be someone he wasn't. Still he couldn't rule out the thought of someone else being responsible. "Barbara pull up any information you can find on known associates of Jervis Tetch."

Beside him Nightwing frowned. "Mad Hatter? You think he's connected?"

"Doubtful." Bruce knew that Tetch had been locked away in Belle Reve for quite sometime after a run in with Oliver Queen in Star City. He'd tested his luck away from the Bat and ended up crossing hairs with another vigilante billionaire.

Poetic. Bruce thought.

"Tetch has the tools," Batman continued explaining his theory. "And maybe a following too. Could be someone targeting in his name. Regardless I'll reach out to some sources, take a different approach."

"Different approach?" Barbara sounded mildly confused. "And what sources do you know that I don't?"

"Lemme guess," Nightwing answered with a smirk. "An old flame?"

Bruce almost smiled thinking about how a certain person would react to hearing the term 'old flames' to describe the two of them and their relationship. It had been brought up in the past but never so blatantly and chances were he'd end up on his ass in pain if he ever pursued the thought.

Thankfully he wasn't driven by carnal desires, unlike a few of his current teammates.

Off in the distance the sound of police sirens broke the quietness in the night and soon was followed by the familiar glow in the sky above the GCPD main precinct. Any other thoughts vanished from Bruce's mind as his face hardened.

"I have to go," He stated.

Nightwing knew well enough to push the matter. "Need an extra pair of hands?"

"No." Direct and short as Batman stepped over the edge of the building. "Get back to Blüdhaven, I'll have someone meet you there."

Without another word Batman leapt off the edge and vanished into the darkness below leaving Nightwing alone on the top of the building with Barbara still in his ear. He knew Bruce could handle himself, so he didn't question his response.

"I'll get on Tetch," Barbara finally said referring to Bruce's hunch. "Meantime you best get back. I'm sure whoever Bruce calls it'll be quick."

Nightwing nodded.

"Keep me updated."

The two cut communication, both spear heading their own leads, while wondering who would be the one to help them solve such a bizarre case.

Watchtower

The monitor room was void of any souls save for Zatanna as she sat behind the desk over looking the transporter pads in the middle of the room. Behind on the wall facing, a massive glass window opened the sights to the starry universe and the briefest glimpse of the planet below.

It wasn't uncommon to catch a hero or two every now and then standing near the window staring out into the cosmos and down towards the planet they dedicated their life with protecting. It was a marvelous sight that sometimes went under appreciated considering all the things so many here were used to.

Take Zatanna in this very moment, an early 30's woman who worked alongside near gods, and even then she sat behind the desk playing on her phone when she should be busy fulfilling her monitoring duty or at least pretending to look engaged at the work in front.

Luckily she got partnered with Ray Palmer, The Atom, who was much more professional and efficient with the job they'd been tasked with handling.

It wasn't that she took the matter lightly, but more so sitting for two hours without incident that was bugging her. It was stupid to say considering that meant general safety throughout, but boredom was not beneath her in this moment.

"You know Zatanna I can cover the rest of the shift alone if you're bored."

The suggestion broke her out of her thoughts as she leaned upwards in her chair and shook her head profusely. Dark tendrils bounced around her cheeks and neck as she furrowed her eyebrows.

"No way Ray," She said quickly. Last thing she wanted was sympathy. "Bruce grades us remember, last thing I need is a poor evaluation on my record."

The moment the words were uttered she felt her cheeks redden.

"You realize we aren't school children right?"

Atom smiled at her but it was broken when the east wing doors opened and a gust of wind rushed in followed by a loud grunt. The two covered their faces as Zatanna mumbled a quick spell to stop the papers and files on the desk from flying around any further.

"Quick teleport me to Central City!"

Zatanna and Ray looked up from behind the desk to see the Flash rise from the ground and onto his feet. A panic look adorned his face as he repeated his request.

"I stand corrected," Ray mumbled. He took hold of a few sheets dangling in the air suspended before addressing Flash. "What's the hurry Barry?"

"I don't really have time," He pleaded.

Zatanna grabbed hold of the rest of the papers before she stood from her chair quizzically. "Really? The fastest man alive doesn't have time? What did you do, forget a date with Iris or something?"

"As a matter of fact I did," He replied nodding quickly. There was no time to waste, knowing he could never use 'being late' as an excuse with anyone let alone Iris, but still he felt the sudden pool to toss in one tiny crack at his questioner. "It's not exactly courteous to be late for a date. Which you'd know if…"

Barry let the words die as he watched Zatanna's curiosity change to anger.

"EHCUOD."

The last thing Zatanna wanted was a semi roast of her failed dating life coming from Barry and Ray, and luckily, or unluckily, depending on who you asked, her change in topic came when a green bolt fired through the opened doors Barry had run through and landed inches from his foot in the floor.

The sudden jolt surprised all three as they heard a voice call out loudly.
"BARRY!"

Ray and Zatanna looked back at the terrified speedster who turned his attention towards the other monitory duty officer. "Ray, help a brother out. Send me to Central City pronto before Canary kills me."

Zatanna was half interested how that would play out but noticed Atom give into their teammates pleas and activate the transporter. Likely wanting to avoid a dispute on ship, Atom clicked the last button and soon enough the two watched Barry disappear just as another bolt shot into the room at where his chest was.

The green arrow launched into the air and bounced effortlessly off the thick glass of the window overlooking the stars and clattered to the ground. Footsteps came next until Dinah Lance came racing into the room holding a familiar looking bow and arrow.

"Changing tools Di?" Zatanna asked with a smile.

Oliver Queens bow looked somewhat odd in someone else's hands but the user did nothing to show it. Dinah held the weapon with a tight grip and arrow ready for her next target.

"Where'd you send him!" She called out angrily.

"Dinah relax." A voice called out. Soon enough the owner of the bow came rushing into the room with a panicked look on his face. Oliver quickly yanked the bow from her hands as his girlfriend sighed in frustration. "It was an accident."

"How would you like it if Barry saw you naked!" She fired back.

Zatanna's ears perked as she leaned forward interested in the conversation.

"He has," Oliver pointed out. "Twice. Barry doesn't exactly slow down when he's running around rooms."

"You're a guy!" Dinah argued still annoyed. "It's different."

Oliver knew better then to argue but still didn't like seeing his girlfriend and friend fight. "Look, what's more likely, Barry accidentally ran inside, or our teammate and friend is a pervert?"

"Right now, I'd go pervert!"

Zatanna choked back a laugh as the couple trained their eyes on her.

"Laugh it up Zee," Dinah glared.

"Maybe try a lock," Zatanna suggested.

"Cute."

Zatanna shrugged. "One of my many talents."

Oliver and Dinah helped gather the rest of the fallen debris before joining Zatanna and Ray behind the monitor. After some convincing not to chase after Barry to Central City and ruin his date with Iris, Dinah settled in Zatanna's chair with a new plan.

"Fine, then I'll wait here till he comes back." She spun around in the chair before placing her feet on the table and getting comfortable. There wasn't care in the world, not even from the disturbed look of Atom as he eyed her heels near the main computer. "You guys are free of monitor duty. Ollie and I can take over."

"Isn't this a little absurd?" Zatanna asked.

"Oh it is," Oliver agreed as he crossed his arms. He eyed Dinah with a small smile. "And I love you and all, but I am not staying here on a perfectly good Saturday night when our shift just ended. Roy's got Star city covered, I thought you and I were going to spend the night inside."

Dinah crossed her arms matching her boyfriend. "Keep it in your quiver Queen."

The comment had Zatanna laugh and Oliver blush.

"I think you guys can handle the rest," Atom finally said. He seemed completely at odds with the conversation and looked at Zatanna one last time. "Can you log us out when you're done?"

"You got it Ray," Zatanna called out after him as the doctor hurried out the room. She laughed a bit louder at her colleagues bemused reaction. "Congrats, you scared the Atom back to the medical bay."

Dinah seemed a bit remorseful but changed tunes when she eyed Zatanna in wonder. "What are you even doing here? I thought you hated monitor duty?"

"I do," Zatanna confirmed joining her friend in the now vacant seat. She settled in as Oliver leaned back on the desk ledge in front of them. "Diana's punishment sadly."

The thought of Wonder Woman punishing someone caught both Dinah and Oliver's attention. "What'd you do?" Dinah asked.

Zatanna recalled the sparring session she had with the amazon warrior a week ago. It was meant to help those uncomfortable with physical one on one combat to better train themselves without relying on their abilities to save them.

One for Batman's ideas.

Anyways she had been partnered up with a group of heroes and paired with an instructor who would oversea their training. Of course she ended up with the crown jewel of fighting in Diana, but little did she think it'd turn out worse than she initially expected.

One by one she watched her teammates get wiped away easily from the terrifying warrior. What was meant as a lesson had become a punishment in the trainees eyes, as hero after hero fell miserably at Diana's prowess.

From Plastic man, to Blue Beetle, to finally Cyborg.

Victor had put of the longest fight, but like Beetle before him, depending on his gifts and tools from technology was a part of what made them successful as superheroes. It seemed almost wrong to watch both raise fists unable to use their full capabilities.

Yet Zatanna understood that was the point, but that still didn't make her feel any better when she stood inside the training room toe to toe with Diana decked out in her Wonder Woman outfit.

It was like staring off against an angelic looking monster that could fluster you with a look and kill you with a single hit without chance.

"So what happened next?" Oliver asked fully intrigued. Both him and Dinah were leaned forward shoulder to shoulder completely enthralled with the story. The thought of Barry was long forgotten.

The story continued to where Zatanna found herself on her behind more times than she cared to admit, while ignoring the smirk that kept dancing on the lips of her instructor. She understood that it was training, but she couldn't help but get a little angry at the sight of Diana almost mocking her.

Deep down she knew that wasn't the case, since Diana was both a friend and kind person. She was just someone who enjoyed a good fight, even if it was incredibly one sided. Still the smile bothered Zatanna, way past the thought of reason, which was when she used her magic.

It was strictly forbidden, and totally unprofessional given the training purpose, but she couldn't lie that it felt good to stand over the form of Diana on the floor struggling tied up by her own lasso.

Normally Diana would never go down so easily, especially to Zatanna with one simple bind spell, but she hadn't been expecting the magic and became overconfident in the attack. It was almost a lesson within a lesson, this time for Diana, but as Zatanna stood over her training officer in triumph, she knew she didn't agree.

"Way to go Zee," Dinah laughed clapping her hands. Hand to hand combat was never an issue for her, but even she would get wiped with ease by Diana. "Taking down the princess."

Zatanna shook her head slightly embarrassed. "Hardly. I got lucky, and basically cheated, and worst of all got caught."

"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.

"Clark walked by as it happened." Zatanna recalled. She could still hear Superman's laugh at the scene he stepped into and then Diana's outburst freezing both the Man of Steel and Zatanna. "He thought it was amusing, only embarrassing Diana more, making this my punishment."

"Well good on you," Dinah smiled clapping her friends shoulder. It might have been at her friends expense, but still she enjoyed the story. "Clark get punished too? Diana doesn't take getting laughed at too well."

Zatanna remembered her initial monitor partner.

"Ray replaced Clark before our shift started," She explained. "Earthquake off the coast of Japan called in for some aid after it trapped some workers in a mine."

"Hopefully everyone's okay," Dinah mused. With Superman there she knew there was hardly a concern but still they worried. "Still, worst ways to get punished, hanging with Superman right?"

Zatanna smirked thinking the same.

"And what's that mean?" Oliver interjected eyeing Dinah.

The two girls laughed as they heard the monitor behind Oliver beep and an incoming message from Batman pop up. Zatanna, still technically on duty quickly rolled to the screen and clicked the receiver.

"Watchtower come in," Zatanna answered.

"How professional of you Zatanna," Bruce responded back dryly.

Zatanna rolled her eyes. "What do you want Bruce?"

The sound of bullets in the background responded before Bruce did. "And there goes that professionalism."

More gun shots echoed as Dinah spoke up. "What's happening over their Bruce?"

"Nothing I can't handle," He fired back easily. There was another sound and then a grunt until he spoke up again. "Damn it."

The three inside the monitor room continued to listen as the sounds of punches and more gunfire echoed, until a large explosion ruptured their sense of calm. Bruce took a few seconds to respond, making the three uneasy.

"I can beam us down there Bruce," Zatanna offered.

"No!"

Annoyed, Zatanna leaned forward. "Then why'd you call!"

"I have a mission for you," Batman responded. The sound of an incoming message followed and then his voice continued. "Get a small team and meet Nightwing in Blüdhaven as soon as you can. Barbara will send over the details. Batman out."

The line died leaving the three heroes alone in thought.

Zatanna watched the details come in from Barbara Gordon and knew it was important given the urgency but still felt annoyed at Bruce's tone. He spoke to her like a child, ordering her around like he always did, and pushing the buttons he knew so well to push.

"Jerk," She mumbled sending the information to her league phone. She could feel the eyes of both her friends behind her as she sent out a call towards Red Tornado to take over monitor duty a few minutes earlier than expected. "Well that's handled, you guys in the mood for a mission? Or still plan on staying indoors like an old married couple?"