Goodbye to a Fallen Hero - Chapter 1
I had hoped he was back, I hoped for a second it was him. However a look of disappointment when I saw who it was appeared on my face.
"Bruce..." I sigh, disappointment dripping in my tone of voice.
"Hoping I was someone else?" He raised his eye brows as me, I just gave him a look that simply said 'what are you doing here', he replies with a sigh "Dic, me and Alfred are worried about you"
"Why? I'm fine. I just came to pay my respects. It's been a year Bruce, I'm over it" /liar/ my mind screamed. The look Bruce gave me told me he didn't believe me either.
"He was you best friend, it's okay to miss him" he says with sympathy in his voice "now come on, you've got training to do"
"No Bruce you've said this every day since I told you I'm retiring" tears appear in my eyes, as I flash back.
/I had just exited the Zeta Tunnel, the emptiness left by my best friend's death still fresh. I look up and see Bruce looking at me with pity in his eyes. I walk past his and straight up to my room, change out of my costume, and lie on my bed and do the only thing I can. Cry. I hear my door open, moments later I feel my adopted father's arms circling me, as if trying to comfort me but the only thing I needed was my best friend.
"I'm done Bruce" I looked up at him "I can't do this anymore"
"your just upset Dic, give it a week and you'll be fine" he replied. This man seriously had no heart, my best friend of 7 years had died, and he thought in a weeks' time I would just get over his death like it meant nothing to me. I jump out his arms.
"You have no Idea how much I'm hurting right now! How the hell am I supposed to save strangers when I couldn't even save the one person who meant everything to me! I can't and won't do this anymore" I calmed down "as from this moment Nightwing is retired from the hero biz… for good"/
"I keep hoping I can change your mind, the world needs Nightwing" he looks at me with a serious expression.
"The world needs Kid Flash but that's not possible" I look Bruce in the eyes "I may be able to physically be Nightwing but I can't mentally or emotionally. I'm not ready, I may never be"
Bruce nods his head with a sigh, he turns and walks towards the car. I turn to look at Wally's head stone one more time, "I love you" I say with tears in my eyes. I turn and follow Bruce to the Car, I got in and rest my head against the window. As the car begins to move, I feel myself begin to drift off in to yet another dreamless sleep.
Next thing I know I am being shaken, I open my eyes to see Bruce. It was then I realise I'm home, todays been a strain already. Next thing to do on my list, call Artemis, I hope she's okay. I walk down to the bat cave, grab my shades from the cupboard, and put them on. I walk over to the computer, enter the number for Mount Justice, as that's where she always is these days.
"Mount Justice come in, this is Nightwing, is anyone there?" after a couple of seconds Impulse appeared, a slight tinge ran through my heart.
"Hey Nightwing, how are you doing?" he gave me a sad look, me and Artemis wasn't the only who lost someone we loved. Barry and Bart both did, he must be struggling as well.
"Hey, I'm surviving. How are you and Barry doing?" I say back sadly.
"I'm doing okay, but it's really hit Grandpa hard, I've not seen him cry this much since Wally died. He still blames himself, we both do" he replies.
"It's not any of your faults, it was an accident, anyway is Artemis about?" I ask quickly wanting to get off subject faster.
"Yeah, sure, I'll go get her" he disappears from view. I relax a little and wait, a couple of minutes later Artemis appears on screen "Hey Artemis, how you doing?"
"Coping, what about you?" she asks quietly.
"Coping" I reply.
"I miss him too Nightwing, but it's getting easier, it will for you too, you loved him just as much I didn't you" it sounds as if she's asking me.
"I still do love him" with that I put the phone down. I get up, take the shades off, put them back and walk out of the Bat Cave. I lock the door, and walk into the living room, I froze on the spot when I enter, Bruce is sat talking to Barry. Barry turns to look at me when he notices my presence, safe to say he looks terrible.
"Hey Dic" he smiles sadly at me.
"Hey Barry" I smile sadly back "How you doing?"
"Been better, bet your feeling the same huh?" I simply nod "thought so, saw your flowers at his grave, thank you" I was about to reply when I lot of loud knocks sounds on our door. A minute later a very happy Hank (Ant-man) was smiling.
"Hank why are you here?" Bruce asks. Hank looks at both me and Barry, the next thing he says are from this day forth my two favourite words.
"Wally's alive"