A/N: I know, I know, it's been far too long, this chapter was difficult. This chapter is dedicated to highlander348 for her wonderful review suggestions. The next chapter should be out soon, I can't say how soon because of school and such but I can assure you it will be within the next two weeks. As always, please enjoy and review!

The Birds of Prey

It was night. The docks, usually empty nowadays, were alive and filled with activity. Bane's men had just received a shipment of supplies and weapons from their forces on the mainland and were currently unloading them and getting ready to put them on the trucks. However, little did they know, they were not alone. One man was unloading crates, when he was suddenly pulled into the darkness of the storage unit. He let out a brief shout of surprise and vanished. Some of the mercenaries turned at the sound of their comrade's cry.

"Donovan? Is everything alright?" called one but he received no reply. The lights suddenly went out and a metal object of some sort fell to the ground, right below the lights. One mercenary bent down and picked it up, to find it was some sort of bat shaped throwing star. They looked at each other but before anyone could say anything, another cry was heard from the other side of the docks, followed by nothing but silence. The goons started to separate, looking around cautiously, fingers nervously on the triggers of their guns.

"What's going on?" asked one thug.

"I don't know," someone else replied. They both jumped at the sound of clanking nearby but turned when they heard something else go bump on the other side of the dock.

"Do you think it's him?" one man trembled.

"Who?"

"The Batman."

"No way man. Bane killed him before all this even happened." Another thunk echoed around them and the thugs turned around wildly.

"Well then who's here?" one of the thugs exclaimed, backing up.

"We are," whispered a voice next to the thug's ear and that was the last thing he heard before the darkness consumed him too.

All of the thugs then wizened up and collected together in the middle of the collection of containers, rather than divide themselves up and make it easier for them to be picked off by their assailant… or was it assailants?

Suddenly, a blonde haired young woman dressed in a red jumpsuit with a golden V on her chest and a matching cape, jumped in the middle of the crowd of mercenaries and began to kick and punch with the speed of a peregrine falcon. They attempted to turn and shot her but were quickly blinded by the light from Flamebird's lenses. The mercenaries then began to turn around wildly, feeling small darts pierce their necks, but they collapsed before they could find the sniper. Huntress then dropped down from her vantage point and joined Flamebird in the pummeling of the mercenaries. Within seconds, the goons were down and the docks were secured.

"Not bad ladies," commented a mildly impressed, highly familiar voice. Flamebird and Huntress turned to see Batgirl watching them from a nearby crane.

"We're improving what you taught us," Bette bragged as the Batgirl dropped down beside her companions, and the Batgirl simply started walking away, before she turned on a dime and snagged a hidden mercenary with her grappling gun, pulling him toward her, before she grabbed him and slammed him into the ground, knocking him unconscious.

"You did miss one," she stated, turning and walking away again.

"We… left that one for you," Flamebird muttered.

"You can come out now boys," the Batgirl called out, and several police officers disguised as mercenaries revealed themselves.

"That was quick," Blake commented, wandering toward the trio of vigilantes as the cops unloaded the… confiscated supplies.

"We have things to do, people to save, and Bane's plans to ruin. We have to strike hard and fast, or the strike is a waste of time and energy."

"Well, I'd say this was worth both." Batgirl looked over the unconscious mercenaries and nodded.

"But the night's still young. Shall we ladies?" The girls nodded and the trio started to leave.

"You're just gonna leave us to get the stuff?" Blake asked. Batgirl turned back to him.

"Clean up's your job Detective. We've got things to do, people to save, and a terrorist to overthrow. And considering you wouldn't have anything to do if it weren't for us, I think you can handle a little extra work." And with that, the trio of young vigilantes vanished into the night.

Batgirl was being followed. That much she was certain of. Her follower was quick, agile, light on their feet, though Batgirl could make out the subtle clicks of high heels. In other words, not Bane or one of his men. Therefore, chances were it was the Cat. Wanting to be left alone, the Batgirl hid behind a corner of a building waiting to ambush her stalker. To her surprise, it was not the Cat following her but another woman, blonde, wearing a black mask, leotard, leather jacket, fishnet stockings, and stiletto boots. None the less, the Batgirl did not appreciate being followed and decided to see why this woman was doing so. Once the woman had wandered close enough, Batgirl the blonde woman's arm, shoved her into the wall

"Who are you?" the Batgirl hissed. The blonde woman moved slightly, lessening the pressure on her throat so she could reply.

"The name's Black Canary. I heard there were some female vigilantes trying to give Bane a run for his money and I'd like in."

"We don't just let anyone in. Unless you tell me your name and reason for doing this, you'll find you're career to becoming to a rather sudden and painful stop." The Batgirl released Black Canary. Black Canary stretched out slightly before she looked around and hesitantly took off her mask.

"My real name's Dinah Lance. I have no reason to do this other than the desire to help a many people as I can. I've been trained in martial arts and athletics, I don't care about the risks, and I will do whatever it takes to help the people of Gotham City."

The Batgirl looked her over for a minute before she asked, "What's your address?"

"1900 51st avenue."

Batgirl paused before she said, "I'll send an operative of mine to interview you in the morning. If the report she gives me is adequate then I will allow you to join us. However, you make one mistake, and you're off the team. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am," Black Canary replied. Jenna looked her over and nodded.

"Good. Now get some rest. You're going to have a long morning." Black Canary smiled, nodded, and put on her mask, before she turned and ran off over the rooftops. Batgirl turned and started heading off in search of people in need.

New supplies, new possible allies, and maybe even a little hope on the streets, Batgirl contemplated. Maybe things were looking up.