Chapter 22
Barbara and Piper parked their bikes on the driveway of Wayne Manor. They ran inside and bumped into Bruce.
"Bruce!" Piper exclaimed. "Where's Dick?"
"At school. Like you two should be. What are you doing here? Mr. Wilson called and-"
Piper pulled her hair in frustration. "No, no, no!" She ran to the study and opened the elevator to the Batcave. She shifted nervously on her feet as the elevator descended into the ground. The doors finally opened and she ran out. "Dick!" her voice echoed through the cave. "Richard John Grayson!" If he didn't respond to his full name, then he definitely wasn't there. There was no response.
"Piper!" Bruce's voice echoed from behind. "What's going on?"
"Bruce! Are you sure you didn't see Dick come home?"
"I didn't. Piper, what's wrong?"
"The message! The message from the Joker! Nightwing is giving himself up!"
"WHAT?!"
"Barbara, call Artemis and M'gann. I'll contact Wally and Connor. We're going to find him."
"What about Tim?" Barbara asked.
"Bruce, call the school and get Tim out. We need him for this."
Bruce hesitated then nodded. "Right."
Within the hour, the original Team stood in the Batcave with Batgirl, Robin, Athena, and Batman. Athena looked at Batman. He nodded at her and she began.
"You all are here for one reason. Nightwing's life is in danger. We're not sure which city Joker is hiding in, so we're splitting up into teams of two. Kid Flash and Artemis, take your bikes and comb through Star City. Miss Martian and Superboy, take the bioship to Happy Harbor. If you have no luck there, go to Metropolis. Batman and Batgirl, take the Batmobile to Fawcett City. Robin and I will take Gotham."
"Excuse me," Batgirl said. "But why do you and Robin get to search Gotham?"
"Robin and I know Gotham city better than anybody and the chances of Nightwing being in Gotham are much higher."
"So then why can't we go with you?" Batgirl asked crossing her arms.
"We're not sure if Nightwing is actually in Gotham, so we need more than just one team." Piper lowered her voice. "Nightwing would do anything to protect me and Robin. It's time that I do the same thing for him. If he's in Gotham, then that's my chance."
"But-" Batgirl started.
"Teams, deploy," Athena said. "Radio if you find him."
The teams went off in different directions. Athena stopped in front Batgirl. "By the way, Nightwing and Zatanna have a history."
Batgirl's eyes widened. "A history?"
"Now's not the time girls," Batman interrupted. "Come on Batgirl, let's go."