Arsenal New Beginnings Chapter 8: The Rescue of a loved one and loss.
Nightwing was moving down and was going to go over the edge unless he came up with a way to save them. The plan he had come up with needed to be timed right. Using his left hand, he pulled out a small pocket knife in his utility belt and stuck in hard into the building. Dangling over the edge of the building, Nightwing look down and could see the people running in fear. Pieces of the building were falling down and hitting the ground hard. All he could think about was those with him and the training Batman had given him.
He managed to pull himself up using his strength looking straight he could see Starfire coming down. She was coming down fast and was starting to go sideways. Her voice could be heard screaming on the way down. As the buildings fall into one another, The hero falls into one of the buildings using his knife that he keeps by his side always it stops from falling over the edge, His friend is right behind him falling. But she falls at an angle so she struggles to catch her, Leaning over barely holding on he manages to catch her by the wrist to keep her from falling to her death.
She hits her head as she went over the edge he grabbed her by his right arm, while holding himself on the edge of the building. He wondered if Roy and Jade were still alive. He called out to Roy and says "Roy you alright."
Roy meanwhile is over the edge of the building holding onto Jade for dear life as she had fallen overboard. They suddenly move down and head down to where Nightwing was holding Starfire. Roy hits the wall of the building with his left side. Jade dangled over the edge. He looked down in pain and says "You still with me."
"Yea, I'm still with you Roy. Are you ok?" Jade asked.
Jade was worried that Roy had broken his left arm when he hit the building hard. Roy's left arm was hurting, but knew he had to ignore the pain and save Jade from the edge. He could hear Nightwing's voice and said, "I hear you Nightwing. Where are you?"
"You know me I'm just hanging around." Nightwing replied.
He could see Jade dangling like he was. He knew she didn't have much time. He looked down at Kori, who was still knocked out and in a frantic voice says "Starfire, come on wake up. I need you to wake up."
Kori slowly opened her eyes and looked up. She saw Nightwing holding her by the arm and said, "What did I miss while I was out?"
Nightwing looked down and gave her a half smile and while she was out. The plan that was going to save them was hatched. He was going to now put his plan into action.
"Not much Starfire. I have a plan and my plan involves you. I'll need you to pull me up when i toss you up." Nightwing replied.
She nodded and Nightwing began swinging up and down with his right arm. He got her high enough that he let her go. She landed on the building and looked down and pulled Nightwing up. Meanwhile where Roy had been standing he was starting to lose his grip. Jade could see that he was going to lose his grip soon, if he didn't get some help. She knew that Nightwing wouldn't make it in time and looked up back at Roy and said, "Let me go Roy."
Roy looked back down at Jade and with a sad tone to his voice says "No I can save you."
Tears started rolling down both Roy and Jade. Jade looked back and gave him a smile.
"I want you to look after Lian for me." Jade replied, letting her hand go, as she fell downward.
Roy screams and looked down as she falls and says "Jade! No!"
He slams his hand on the edge of the building then turned holding his left arm and saw Nightwing and Kori safe and sound. Starfire would be the first to notice Roy with tears in his eyes. Kori looked back at Roy and said, "What has happened?"
In an angry and upset tone Roy pointed to the helicopter and says "What happened? I'll tell you what happened. The Joker happened and because of that son of a bitch who sitting pretty up there won't come down here and face us. Jade is dead cause of him and now how do i explain to Lian what happened to her mom."
Nightwing looked at Roy and with an apologetic tone to his voice says "I'm sorry about Jade Roy."
"You're sorry... Not as sorry as the Joker will be when get my hands on him." Roy replied turning himself and looking down. Kori placed her hand on Roy right shoulder and says "We're all here for you Roy. You're not alone in this."
Roy looked at the helicopter and shouted at the Joker and said, "Joker! You're going to pay for this."
"Well, that was unfortunate that someone in your group died. I don't see how I will pay considering I have all the cards." The Joker replied through the speaker of the helicopter.
"What cards? Joker whatever you have in store for us, enough of the riddles and games. Spit it out." Nightwing replied.
The Joker pulled the door of the helicopter opened and had a megaphone and put it to his mouth and said, "Sticks and stones Nightwing. My meaning to holding the cards is this. I have at Malcolm Merlyn building, Roy Harper's daughter and Laurel Lance if you want to see them, you'll bring you and Nightwing alone and face me."
"And if we don't. What will you do? It's not your style to kidnap innocent people Joker." Nightwing asked.
"Then I'll have no choice but to kill them." The Joker replied, closing the door on the helicopter.
Harley then pointed the helicopter in the direction of Malcolm Merlyn building. The helicopter had flown of in the direction of Merlyn Industries. It takes them almost 25 minutes to get there. They all watched as the helicopter had taken off for Merlyn Industries. Roy who was now upset and mad walked up to Nightwing and using his right hand grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him up and says "This is your entire fault."
Kori was about to intervene, when Roy turned and said, "Stay out of it Starfire."
Oliver who was on the way to help watched from the roof and knew he had arrived too late to help. He didn't want Roy to lose Jade, not in the way he had. He felt that the Green Vigilante caused nothing but trouble and decided that maybe it was time to stop being a hero. Lives were being affected people he cared about. He heard where the Joker would be and headed for Merlyn industries.
Roy then put Nightwing down and disappeared. She looked back at Nightwing with concern in her eye and says "This isn't your fault you know. He's just angry."
"Isn't it? I put his family at risk. The Joker knew our weakness and used it against us. I promised to protect those, who can't help themselves. Joker needs to be stopped." Nightwing replied.
Starfire looked back at Nightwing and says "What are we waiting for?"
She grabbed Nightwing by the arms and flew off for Malcolm Merlyn's building. She hoped that that's where Roy would be heading. While he was waiting for Roy and the others to arrive. Oliver made sure to learn everything about Nightwing including information about him being the original Robin. It also mentions the reasons behind him leaving Batman and going out on his own.
He could see that the Roy running towards him. He walked to the car he had driven off in. He threw the papers inside and greeted Roy. Oliver looked at Roy and says "Roy what happened? You left way before me."
"I needed a minute to myself to think." Roy replied turning his back to Oliver.
Oliver understood his feeling and understood what he was feeling considering the things he witness when he came back from the island. Placing one hand on his back, he says "Roy I can't imagine what your feeling. But I do understand your feelings."
"How can you imagine how I feel? After losing the woman I loved and my daughter is up there with that manic." Roy shouted, shoving Oliver's arm off his back.
Oliver had to try and confront Roy or at least help him. He knew that his daughter was up there, but he also knows that Laurel is up there watching her.
He looked at Roy and says "Look Roy if it any comfort I know Laurel will protect her no matter what."
"I know that. I just should have known that the Joker was watching our places and knew exactly when to strike. The question that bugs me is why work with Malcolm Merlyn." Roy asked looking up towards the first floor of the building.
"That's the first question, you can ask when we get there." Oliver replied.
Starfire and Nightwing were on the way to where Oliver and Roy were standing.
Roy using his good arm waved to both of them as Starfire waved back and landed with Nightwing, who she had carried from the collapsed arrive outside the front entrance and notice that Roy had just arrived and that the Green Vigilante was with him. Nightwing and Starfire see them standing there.
"You must be the Green Vigilante?" Nightwing asked looking at the Green Vigilante.
"Yes I am and by the tone in your voice you recognize me. You must be Nightwing, but I've yet had the pleasure in meeting your female companion." Green Vigilante replied putting his hand out to her.
They both shake his hand and Starfire looked at him and says "The name's Starfire. It's nice to finally meet you."
"I hate to interrupt the pleasantries, but we need a plan to rescue Laurel Lance and my daughter." Roy replied in a stern tone.
"Anyone have a map of the place?" Nightwing asked looking at both Roy and the Green Vigilante.
Nightwing grabbed the Green Vigilante and says "I know who you are underneath that mask."
Green Vigilante looked at him and gave him a look. A serious look was given then he said, "Well then if you know who I am then I must tell you I know who you are."
The ear piece on the Green Vigilante crackled with felicity's voice. He tapped the ear piece on and says "Did you find a map felicity?"
Felicity on the other end of the ear piece said, "I'll send the map to Nightwing's PDA."
Nightwing pulled out the PDA and pressed a button revealing a 3d representation of the building. They all stand close by to see the map. Nightwing would be the first to speak up and with the help of the others come up with a plan. He looked at everyone and says "We are here."
He pointed using his left index finger at the same time continued to talk and says "If the maps accurate Laurel and Roy's daughter should be here."
Nightwing pointed to the top floor. Roy listened then said, "If I know the Joker getting there won't be easy."
"That's why I recommend we split up and draw the attention off each." Nightwing replied.
They listened and the Green Vigilante decided that he'd like to volunteer to be the one to help distract the Joker's Goons.
The Green Vigilante says "I'll do the honors of being the distraction."
"If he's going then I'm going. No arguments but know this. When this is over me and Lian are leaving Starling City."
"You don't mean that Roy." Kori replied.
He turned to look at Kori and says "I just need time to grieve when this is over. Please understand."
"I do understand and that's why coming with you. Someone has to watch your back and help you with Lian." Kori replied giving Roy a smile.
Roy nodded and took off with the Green Vigilante. Nightwing and Starfire decided to use another way up to the top. Starfire helped to set the bone back into place and badged Roy's left arm and said, "You know this is only temporary."
"Yea I know. That's why when this is over I'll go to the doctors, but until then this will do. Thank you. Roy replied.
To be continued...