An Eye for an Eye
Stephanie Brown knew when that her time as Batgirl was coming to an end. It had been a long, and fun five years and like Barbara, Stephanie knew that change was coming. Five years... A longer time as Batgirl then Cassandra, and almost as long as Barbara's run. Stephanie Brown was not stupid, she knew that her time as Batgirl was coming to an end, and she didn't mind in the least. Stephanie Brown knew in the pit of her stomach that there was something greater then being Batgirl waiting for her. She knew there was something coming that would help more people than Batgirl ever could. Still, Gotham needed a Batgirl. Batman and Robin needed a Batgirl. So she just couldn't leave... at least not without someone to take her place, and so Stephanie Brown searched for the next Batgirl.
After the event with the Joker and Harley Quinn, Mary Grayson was still not back in the field. It wasn't her father, or Bruce, or really anyone who kept her from going back in as Starling, but herself. Something was different. She was different, and until she knew exactly where she stood now, Mary avoided going back into the field. Of course, this didn't make her happy either.
Like her father, Mary was never truly happy unless she was helping people, and just going to school, dance and the gym didn't make her feel happy. Sure, for once she felt normal, but Mary Grayson was never normal. Mar'i Grayson wasn't even born normal. Three years ago, almost four, Mar'i was a princess. Living on Tamaran, the planet she was born on, with her mother, who loved her very much. Then Princess Mar'i didn't even know her father, and now Mar'i couldn't imagine her life without him. With the family she lost and left on Tamaran, Mar'i gained a new one, one that was larger and crazier than she could have hoped for. And with that new family came a new Mary. Starling was born, and Mary loved every minute of it. It was like her mother's stories, and much much more. Mary was no longer, that 8 year old Princess that was trying to adjust to the new planet. She was no longer that Princess of Tamaran. Mary was now a vigilante of Gotham. Mary flew higher then any dancer and gymnast could ever hope, while helping the world around her. It was a win-win situation, so why did Mary feel so out of touch?
Mary helped the others from the computer, but that paled in comparison to actually being out there. Barbara had told her this before she was Starling, and now she knew Babs was right, as always. The state of melancholy seemed to do nothing but infuriate Mary. Something was off about her, but she just couldn't figure it out.
Mary sighed as she walked into the manor that day. Dance had finished early, with Kevin promising that next week's competition was as good as theirs, and Mary had a night off from Grayson Gym leading her to want to check up on Alfred, Bruce, and Damian. It seemed that Mary was the only one who liked to check up on the manor and it's inhabitants on a weekly schedule. Even though they all lived in the same city(Excluding Cassandra), they could go weeks without even speaking to one another. Tim was famous for this, and to a slightly less extent so was Jason. Stephanie made sure to see at least Mary or Dick once a week if she could, and all bets were off if Bruce wasn't in Gotham and had a large case to work on. Right after Mary had moved to Gotham from Blüdhaven, Bruce went on a mission for a full two months alone, and the only person he checked in with was Alfred. All in all, it seemed that Mary was the only who really felt the need to check in with her family. Babs had said that she was only checking in on the stability of her family after the family she knew on Tamaran had fallen apart. Mary really never felt the need to psychoanalyze her life choices. Checking in on her family made her happy, and it made Alfred happy, so that was enough.
"Ah Miss Mary, I see you've come to the Manor for a visit. Slightly early, aren't you?" The butler asked her with slightly raised eyebrows.
"I didn't have to teach a class at the gym tonight, so I thought about coming over for dinner. Is that okay? I'm not disrupting anything, am I?" Mary said. Usually, Mary only came after dance lessons and working at the gym.
"No, I don't believe so." Alfred let Mary inside and led her to the kitchen, where he was currently making dinner. They engaged in some small talk that Alfred enjoyed as he rarely got it with anyone else in the house, when Mary heard faint voices coming from upstairs.
"Alfred, Bruce is home?" Mary asked recognizing one of the voices she heard. Alfred stopped cooking.
"Yes, it surprised me, too. Master Bruce came home early tonight. I believe Master Damian got into some trouble at school today, and his presence seemed to have been needed." Mary blinked in confusion. The school hadn't actually needed to call her from class when Damian got in trouble for once. It was no secret of their relations at school, so when Damian got in trouble Mary was called in to see the likelihood of getting ahold of his father that day, and vise versa. Damian getting in trouble also meant that he and Bruce would be getting into one of their typical arguments right about now. The issues they were having still never seemed to have been resolved all they way from back when Alicia Royal made her debut. It seemed the older Damian got, the more the two fought. Mary never really understood it. Sure, she had gotten into fights with her father, but never one spanning months of grudge holding, only speaking to each other when work called for it. It was when they fought that Mary and the others often realized how alike Bruce and Damian were. They were very alike in anger, and they ways they showed it.
As Mary kept listening she noticed that she knew the two other voices upstairs talking with Bruce. One was female in tone easily identified as Stephanie's, and the other... The other was her father's.
"My dad's here?" Mary asked standing up from her place at the kitchen bar. "He's supposed to be at work, working on getting that trapeze built for the gym. What's he doing here?" Alfred only returned Mary's look.
"I thought you knew he was here, Miss Mary, others I would have mentioned it." Alfred said with a frown.
Mary waved off his apology, "It's not a problem...Just give me a moment." Mary walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. As she did she got a clear notion of what they were talking about. Thank X'hal for superior hearing. Mary could hear words like "Batgirl", "Robin", and "Starling". Her father arguing with whatever point was made, and Bruce's calm interception of the conversation. She had to get closer she had to see what was going on inside. It didn't take long for her to find the vent leading to the room, but waiting for her at the end of the vent was something she wasn't expecting.
"Damian." She said in a barely audible whisper. "What are you doing here?"
He shushed her as quietly as he could. "Same as you." He told her looking back towards the office. "They're talking about us." If they didn't have to be quite right then, she would have snorted.
"Of course they're talking about you. You got in trouble at school again." Mary pointed out in a hushed whisper. Damian rolled his eyes.
"I said us, moron. Now shut up, and listen." He ordered. Mary didn't bother arguing with him. They would get into so much more trouble for spying if they actually got caught. So, she quietly listened in on the their conversation.
"Retire?" Dick said with a slight gasp. "You want to retire from being Batgirl?" Dick asked the blonde shocked. Mary would have gasped had Damian not put a hand over her mouth. A lot of good that would have done after they had a full whispered conversation though.
"Yes, retire. Dick, it's time for a change." Stephanie said.
"You've done so much good as Batgirl, though." Dick pleaded. "You can't want to stop that."
Stephanie sighed, "I don't want to stop that, but I think my time as Batgirl is coming to an end." Stephanie said finally.
"Stephanie." Dick pleaded again
"You think it's time for someone else to step up as Batgirl." Bruce cut in calmly.
Dick and Stephanie turned towards Bruce, both stayed silent for a minute. "Yes," Stephanie finally answered.
"You shouldn't grieve her so much." Bruce turned to Dick. "If I remember not too long ago a young man grew out of his title and wanted to move towards bigger and better things."
Dick narrowed his eyes at Bruce, "Yeah, I outgrew being Robin, but this is different Batman. Stephanie doesn't want to leave her mentor's shadow. And If I remember correctly there was more to me leaving Robin then just wanting to grow up and move on."
Stephanie sighed bringing attention back to her. "Let's not bring up arguments from before Tim was in the picture, because that's going too far back down memory lane for this discussion. Yes, I want to retire from being Batgirl, but I was going to wait until a suitable replacement to come up." Stephanie announced. "With Batman all over the place Robin is going to need another partner for when you're gone Bruce.
"You want to endanger another teen's life?" Dick asked with eyebrows raised. "I think we have enough of those, thank you."
Stephanie shook her head, "No. What I really meant was when the suitable replacement is old enough to be Batgirl." There was an awkward silence that followed Stephanie's words.
"You mean Mary." Bruce said voicing Dick's thoughts.
"Yes."
"And no." Dick cut through. "She's supposed to me my partner."
"In a few years she may not want to be anymore. Besides, with your new League duties, you won't have much time for Gotham any more either." Stephanie said staring Dick down. He didn't back down from her challenge though and glared right back at her.
"Why don't we ask Mary herself." Bruce suggested. The two reluctantly stopped glaring at one another and faced towards the vent, looking straight at Damian and Mary inside. "You two can come out now."
"We know you're there." Stephanie said crossing her arms.
"Damian, you're not as quiet as you think." Dick said. Slowly the cover of the vent popped out of place and the two kids slowly jumped down into the office.
"This isn't what it looks like." Mary said holding her hands up in a typical surrender position. While Damian tucked his hands into his pants pocket and huffed in a bored manner.
"Doesn't matter." Bruce answered. "We were just discussing you two-"
"Before you start I just wanted to say that I don't want to be Batgirl." Mary said cutting Bruce off politely. Everyone looked towards her shocked.
"But Mary-" Stephanie started.
"I'm sorry, Steph, but I'd rather just be Starling. It was a persona I created, and it's important to me. I don't plan on giving it up any time soon." Mary told her.
Stephanie looked disappointed, but nodded. "I understand. It was only a suggestion. You always had a choice in the matter." Dick looked incredibly pleased next to Stephanie.
"Now that that's taken care of, let's go see if Alfred finished dinner. I'm starved." Dick said as he began to walk out of the room.
"Wait, Dick, were not finished here." Bruce called out to the younger man, "Stephanie brought up a good point. With your new Justice League position, you're time between that and Gotham will be split. Meaning Mary will be working in the field alone." Dick stayed silently, sure that Bruce was going to bring something else to their attention, "Also because of recent events it seems that it wouldn't be appropriate if I continued to let you go out on your own when I'm not around, Damian." Bruce told his youngest son.
"What!" Damian almost yelled. Mary quickly elbowed him harshly in his side, keeping him quiet and from starting another argument with Bruce.
Bruce didn't even react to the outburst, "Stephanie, you believe that Robin needs a partner when you retire. Dick, you wouldn't want to leave Mary alone in the field. And I do believe that because of a lack of maturity on Robin's part that he should be allowed to be in the field alone so much anymore. I propose a solution to this problem. Robin and Starling become partners."
"WHAT!" "NO!" Mary and Damian screamed at the same time.
Bruce raised an eyebrow at the two, "It's not a bad plan. You two already have good teamwork. You both started out working with the same person in the field so transitioning to each other won't be difficult. I don't see a problem with it. Dick, do you see any issues?"
Dick pondered for a moment, "No, I can trust both of them out in the field together. They both started out with me, so I doubt they'll have any issues. Plus, it's not like we're telling Damian and Tim from back in the early days to work together. Those two tried to kill each other for real on multiple occasions. Surprisingly, these two don't fight. They have a playful banter, but nothing like Jason and Tim, or Damian and Tim, or Jason and I from way back when. All in all, I think this just may work." Dick said approvingly.
"I agree. Mary is light and happy enough to keep Damian from being too brody. Damian has more experience than Mary, and will see things in the field that she won't. While Mary can see the bigger picture, Damian always remembers the task at hand." Stephanie said, "It's almost more perfect of a partnership then Batman and Robin."
"Hold up," Mary said, "Neither Damian nor I have agreed to this yet."
"Yeah. What Mini Grayson said."
"Sorry, but I like my current partner." Mary said.
"As do I, and I think we would rather like to keep them." Damian finished. Bruce thought about if for a moment.
"You can still work with us, and you will always be our partners, but due to circumstances I will have cases that I can not bring you on, Damian. Mary, the same with Dick. Until, you can prove yourself to me again. I don't want you in the field by yourself anymore, Damian."
"All of this because of some stupid arguments we've been having?" Damian asked seething quietly.
"It's much more than that, and you know it." Bruce waved him off. "If you two are so against working together, then you don't have to. You can just as easily wait for when a case brings me or Nightwing back to Gotham. Mary, you could easily start working with the Birds of Prey in your free time." Both Damian and Mary frowned at this idea.
"No, no, That's not necessary. Damian and will work together perfectly in the field, you'll see!" Mary said a little too quickly.
Damian turned to the girl so fast she could almost feel the wind coming off of him, "What are you-OUCH!" Mary elbowed him harder in the same exact place as before.
"See, Working together! We can totally do it! Watch I can see the headlines now Robin & Starling, Gotham's Best. We'll work together easy peasy, promise!" Mary jerked Damian closer to her. "Right, Damian?"
Damian rubbed his side, "Yeah, sure. Since I obviously don't have a say in this."
"Good." Bruce announced, "You two will work together all this week. Is that understood."
"Yes, sir." They both said at the same time.
"Now, Alfred, probably has dinner finished. You two head down without us. We still have some things to discuss." The two kids nodded, and headed down the stairs once they were out of earshot Damian slapped Mary on the back of the head.
"That's for elbowing me!" Mary rubbed the back of her head. The boy could hit hard. "Now why the hell did you agree to that!" Damian hissed at her.
"Like Stephanie said, you don't see the bigger picture. Grandpa Bruce is testing you with this, Damian. This is your chance to get back on his good side. I know since that mission when you had to-"
"Don't." Damian stopped her. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Sorry," She apologised, "But this is still a really good chance for you to get back on his good side. Damian, I don't know if you have noticed, but you are a little hard to work with." Damian snorted at her words, "Yeah, this could prove that you can work with someone other than Bruce and my dad for long term. Bruce, is only looking out for your future. For all you know, Tim could pass down the Titans to you soon. I mean you are 13 now. Perfect age for a Teen Titan."
"Why would I want to lead a team full of brats?" Damian asked proudly.
"Because every hero that started out as Teen Titan, is now a major member of the Justice League. Look at Cyborg. He was a Titan, now he's in the inner circle of the league with Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, and not even to mention all of the others. This could finally prove to Bruce and my dad that we have what it takes to work alone."
"By working together?"
"Exactly."
"Fine, small Grayson, I'll work with you, but if this fails I'm blaming you."
"Trust me, the feeling is likewise." And they shook hands on it.
Day 3 of working with Damian wasn't all that bad. Mary admitted to herself. Like her father, Bruce, and Stephanie had said the two did have a natural team work with one another. It was a very fluid partnership. Most of the time they didn't even need to speak to one another before doing something. Damian almost never had to ask Mary to take out the security of some place, or to go around from the back to get into somewhere. Mary never had to ask Damian what he was doing when he randomly disappeared. Yes, this partnership was almost perfect, and to Bruce's smug face they both admitted it begrudgingly.
"You can stop smirking like that, Gramps." Mary said slightly crestfallen. It had only taken three days, but both Damian and Mary knew that this partnership was for the better.
"Father, gloating is far beneath you." Damian commented after Mary.
"I'm not gloating." Bruce said turning to them with his smirking face, "Only appreciating my own idea. Though I thought it would take longer for you two to work together properly."
"How terrible it must be to be slightly wrong." Mary said sarcastically with an eye roll, "We've agreed to stay partners. Now give us some real missions, not just patrolling."
Giving one last look towards the kids, Bruce turned back towards the computer and pulled up some files. In the middle of the screen was a picture of what looked to be a villain.
"This is Donald Younginer, or Bass Drop as he likes to call himself. He's a new villain trying to climb his way up the totem pole. He wasn't really a threat until The Penguin started taking notice of him. Now Penguin's been hiring to take out some of his competition."
Mary ran up to the computer, "Okay, cool. So powers?"
"He's 21, and a sound engineering genius, He uses the devices attached to the palm of his hands to produce a sound wave large enough to crumble building. If he get's a hold of you, you may not be able to get away from him alive, or at least with whatever limb he was holding on to."
"So he's the guy that's taken down most of Black Mask's area and killed two cops by blowing of their arms." Damian said knowingly, "This sounds like something you would usually take over, Father." Damian said with raised eyebrows.
Bruce waved him off, "Yes, for a newbie Bass Drop is certainly making a mark, but I have a case I have to finish. I'm also curious as to how well you two will work together under stress." Both kids nodded.
"We'll take it." Mary said clamping a hand on Damian's shoulder. "Come on, Let's show this newbie how things work in Gotham City."
That night Robin and Starling did not hesitate to find out where this Bass Drop was going to strike next. There was absolutely no way Penguin was dealing with this new guy directly. Gothamites aren't really trusting to those who come from outside of the city. A natural bred distrust caused by a distrust among the city's inhabitants. It only took one call to Red Hood in order to find out all of the Penguin's handlers. Robin was able to narrow it done from there. Now they were currently sitting in a crappy Gotham apartment with said handler, named Remy Hart, sitting tied to one of his kitchen chairs.
"I AIN'T DO NOTHIN' I SWEAR!" Remy screamed. Robin punched him in the face hard.
"Stay quiet, or next time you lose teeth." He threatened.
Remy spat out a little blood, "Why are bats in my place?" He asked. "I'm staying' straight! I swear!"
Starling narrowed her eyes at the man and in a calm voice replied, "If that were the case you wouldn't be working for The Penguin, now would you? We want some information on a charge of your's. Penguin made you the handler of a Gotham Newbie, we want info now."
"I know nothing. I haven't even worked with the penguin in months." Remy Hart swore. Starling sighed as Robin growled and almost too quick for human eyes was upon the criminal.
"Don't lie to me." Robin ordered harshly. He grabbed Remy's index finger. "Next lie you tell me, I break it, and everyone other one for every lie you tell me after." Remy visibly paled. Starling sighed once more before placing a gentle hand on Robin's shoulder.
"Don't I'll tell you everything! He's going after Two-face's property tonight! That's all I know I swear!" Remy cried out.
Robin swore under his breathe, "Cobblepot's trying to upset the balance. Let's go, Starling." With that Robin took his leave out the window leaving Starling alone with Remy Hart.
Starling turned towards the man before releasing him off his bonds. He winced unsurprisingly at her touch. She frowned. Interrogations were never her favorite part of the job.
"This is good." Robin told her as they flew through the city on their lines. "We're ahead of schedule we can track down Younginer before he hits Two-Face."
Starling shook her head. "I don't think so, Robin. I think you were right earlier about Penguin wanting to upset the balance here in Gotham, but with Black Mask already dealt with, the situation is critical. We have to find a way to stop Penguin and Bass Drop without upsetting the balance in Gotham."
"How do you propose we do that? It would be simpler if we just went and dealt with Bass Drop then dealt with The Penguin."
Starling scoffed at her partner, "As if we could find anything tying Bass Drop to Penguin. We need real evidence that Penguin hired Bass Drop. If Black mask or Two-Face found out that Penguin was trying to take them out then-"
"We would have a war on our hands." Robin finished for her.
"Exactly." Starling nodded, "Now's the time to put those detective skills to use, Robin. Looks like we're heading to the Iceberg Lounge."
Luckily for the two kids the Iceberg Lounge wasn't too far away. Now the issue left, getting inside. Batman usually never wanted them going inside of the Iceberg alone, For good reason, but what choice did they Iceberg had top notch security. Though Starling assured Robin they had what it took to make it through unnoticed to Penguin's office. And they almost did give or take a few thugs they silently took down. Starling thanked X'hal for the creation of utility closets, or else they would have been found by then. It took them nearly half an hour to reach Penguin's office, Batman would have expected better of them, but he wasn't there at the moment.
"Robin," Starling called to her partner. She had been fumbling through papers in Penguin's office while Robin checked out his laptop. "Come look at this." She said. Robin moved from his place and came up behind Starling reading over her shoulder.
"This is-" Robin took the paper from Starling's grasp.
"A contract between Black Mask and The Penguin pretty much saying should they go to war with another major gang in Gotham they would work together." Starling finished for him, "Funny thing is, The Penguin has another but for Two-Face."
"Fuck." Robin cursed.
"My sentiments exactly. I had wondered what good it would do for The Penguin to start a war with Two-Face and Black Mask. After finding these I figured it out. Penguin plans to let the two duke it out, then take whatever's left after they destroy each other. Smart plan." Starling commented.
"Very Penguin-like." Robin sneered. "He's such a coward. What are we going to do about this?" Robin asked. "Even if we stopped Bass Drop, Black mask will still believe that Two-face attacked him and would retaliate."
"Crap. Penguin really covered all of his basses. If we let any war between the A-listers take place a lot of innocent people will die." Starling said. "Still, we can't let Bass Drop continue to destroy property no matter who it belongs to."
"That doesn't solve the issue." Robin pointed out.
Starling sent him a scowl, "Give me sometime. I'll come up with something," Starling promised. Then The two left The Iceberg lounge. It wasn't until much later that Penguin realized someone had been in his office. Not knowing what they had seen he burned every bit of evidence that could sent him back to Blackgate that night.
Donald Younginer, otherwise known as Bass Drop, approached Two-Face's money compound without any use of stealth or carefulness, not that he needed it. Sure, he was new to Gotham City, but The Bats didn't scare him one bit. People had warned him, but he took care of Black Mask's place and the dark Knight nor any of his lackeys showed up. He was halfway expecting a fight, but nothing happened and the plan went swimmingly. Of course, those Bats probably had other things to do besides of take care of his newbie self. There were bigger, and badder things that Batman needed to take care of.
That's why when a young, masked girl kicked him in the back of the head right when he was starting to turn up the bass really surprised him.
"Donald Younginer," She said with a smirk. "Sorry, but I'm going to have to ask for you to turn down." Bass drop rolled his eyes.
"what happened? Batman couldn't make it himself so he sent Bat-mite." He sneered at Starling.
"Hardy Har har." Starling laughed sarcastically, "I've never heard that one before. You are sooo creative. Tell me more about your brilliant mind." This time Starling rolled her eyes, "It's Starling, btw. Not that you care, but I thought that the guys in Blackgate would appreciate knowing who kicked your newbie behind." Starling barely had enough time to jump out off the way of one of Bass Drops deathly sound waves.
"Alright you little bitch. It's play time." Bass Drop readied himself for another attack, but Starling had already disappeared from his line of sight. He swore under his breath as he looked around for Starling, but he couldn't find her anywhere. He turned back towards the money compound, and she must have gone there he concluded and turned to walk down towards his job, but found in front of him was a young masked boy. Before Bass Drop could react, Robin delivered a nice uppercut to his chin knocking him to the ground, and disappearing before Bass Drop had time to recover.
Bass Drop stood up from his spot on the ground spitting out the tooth he lost from Robin's punch, "So there are two of you, eh? Why don't you face me for real?" Bass Drop challenged.
"Wow, You can really tell he's new here." Commented Starling's voice from the darkness. Bass Drop looked around but couldn't find the source of the voice.
"And he wonders why Batman didn't have time for him." Robin's voice floated out of the shadows, mocking Bass Drop. "Really, we could have taken you out 40 times by now. "
"You should be glad we have other plans for you, Donald Younginer."
Other Plan? Bass Drop thought to himself. Why would-
"Behind you." Robin's voice called out to him. He turned around to see Starling sitting on some wood crates and robin leaning against them. They looked relaxed, but Bass Drop knew not to underestimate them now.
"What are you talking about?" He questioned the two children. Bass Drop had heard about Robin, the demon spawn the streets liked to call him. They said that he was the one who killed all those bad guys even though Batman took the blame. Some even say he used to be an assassin for the League of Shadows. And the girl, Starling. Nightwing's protege, she was not to be trifled with. What she lacked in experience she made up for in aggression. Has a thing for kicking villains in the face. Unlike the other Bats, Starling fought like a brawler, more French kickboxing, and wrestling moves with her then the others neat and tidy Martial arts. Quite a fearsome reputation the both of them had, now they were both on to Bass Drop, and he was going to do whatever it took to get out of this.
"We're taking your job from you." Robin said quickly answering Bass Drop's question.
"What what-" Behind him Two-Face's whole compound exploded in the flames,There in the flames big and bright was the symbol of the bat. Shocked he faced the two young vigilante's. "If you were going to do that why stop me?" He asked confused.
"Because." Starling discreetly rolled a small capsule towards Bass Drop. "We couldn't have you spilling your guts, now could we?" Before H could respond the capsule released the gas it was holding inside knocking out Donald Younginer, Bass Drop.
When Bass Drop woke up, he was in Blackgate prison under a new alias and no one believed him and his tale about, Starling and Robin.
"YOU BLEW UP ONE OF TWO-FACE'S HIDEOUTS!" Batman roared at the two children. Starling winced, but Robin held his father's angry glare. They had returned to the cave and Batman was not happy about what he found on the news
"Technically, it was his money compound." Robin said, "You know the place where he hides all of his illegal money... Well not all of it, since he does everything in twos, he has another one somewhere"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up." Hissed Starling under breathe.
"Whose idea was this?" Batman growled. Before Starling could answer Robin did.
"Mine." He answered straight faced, "It was the quickest, and easiest way not to start a war between Black Mask, Dent, and Penguin." Starling would have stared at Robin, but she wasn't about to let Damian get caught in a lie with Bruce. His punishments would be lesser if Bruce didn't know he was lying. She felt like a coward not taking the blame. She'd have to thank him later, probably yell at him first, Then thank him.
Batman looked at Robin and Starling intently. Starling could see his jaw clench before he delivered a very harsh, "Fine. You two are off of this case. Robin, you're off of field work for two weeks."
"What!?" Starling said shocked, "Batman, You can't. It was a group effort. You can't just punish him and not punish me!"
"I can't have both of you not in field. Your father will deal with your punishment when he gets back from the mission the League sent him on. Till then, unless it's an emergency, you will not take any cases, you will just be patrolling, and you have to check in every hour with me. Not Oracle, me. Is that understood."
"Bru-"
"Yes, Father, We understand." Robin said. "We'll be taking our leave now." Robin took Starling my the wrist and dragged her unwillingly to change out of their uniforms. Starling glared at Robin. Seeming to ask him why he covered for. The plan was her idea, Robin only went along with it. She should have been the one benched not him. Robin seemed to understand the question in her gaze and shrugged unapologetically. He was already in trouble, he couldn't get into more. Well, he could but honestly he didn't really care.
"Don't worry about it, Little Grayson." He told her. "It's been a long night. Get some sleep." He patted her on the head before taking his leave. Mary stared at him until he was out of sight still confused as to the enigma that was Damian Wayne.
"So he took the blame?" Jason asked Mary. She was currently at his apartment avoiding Bruce's wrath. It seemed her plan had work. Black Mask and Two-Face were now after the Bat-family instead of each other, saving lives, but endangering there's. Mary wasn't sure Bruce would get over this any time soon. However, Jason spoke otherwise.
"Yeah, It was my plan. We were time crunched, and I knew Gotham couldn't handle an all out war between those superpowers. I had to make a choice." Mary said.
"If it makes you feel better, I think you made the right choice." Jason said leaning back on his couch taking a sip of his beer.
"Yeah, but I put our whole family's lives in danger." Mary protested.
Jason snorted, "We were already in danger. I'm kinda offended that Bruce doesn't think that we can handle the heat. I know he knows that we can, and that we have before. But I don't think it has anything to do with you, Starshine." Jason said honestly.
"You don't think he's made at us?" Mary clarified.
"No, I don't." Jason said. "Deep down he knows that you two kids made the right choice. There's a lot on Bruce's plate right now, kid. Bruce has a tendency to blow up and anything and everything. You saved lives, Mary. I know that, Bruce knows that, and Damian knows that. He took the blame because he felt that you guys made the right decision. If that kid didn't agree with the plan, or had his doubts he wouldn't have taken the blame for it. e would have let you take the fall, but he didn't. So take that with some grace."
Mary noded. On her wrist her watch began to beep. It was 11 O'clock. Time for patrols. "Work's calling. I'll see you later, Jason." Mary quickly put on her Uniform and jumped out of the window to start patrols. Jason chuckled as she left. She was going to be one of the best. He could just tell.
"This is Starling. Checking in as she was told to every hour on the hour." Starling said into her earpiece.
"Good. Don't do anything dangerous tonight, Starling. Stay on your toes. Two-Face and Black Mask are gunning for anybody wearing the Bat symbol." Batman replied.
"Noted." Starling turned off her comm and Headed towards the high ground. Bruce was right. Two-Face's men were everywhere looking for them. They wouldn't find her though. Starling would make sure of that.
Two streets away Starling heard a woman cry out, "HELP! PURSE SNATCHER!" Starling sighed. It seemed that even though most of Gotham's crooks were on the edge looking for Batman they had enough time to partake in petty crimes. Starling ran across the rooftops and dived into the alley she heard the scream.
"Miss, where did her take off to?" Starling asked. They shaken women pointed down the Alley, and Starling took off. It didn't take her long to find the purse snatcher, knock him out, and leave him for the cops. In 6 minutes tops she was walking back into the alley, The woman's purse in hand.
"Miss, I got your purse back." Starling announced. That's when she noticed a fallen form at the end of the alley. Starling ran towards. It was definitely the woman who had her person stolen from her. Starling held her breath as she looked for the women's pulse, and breathed a sigh of relief when she found it. Someone had just knocked her out. Thank X'hal, Starling thought to herself. Starling shivered, someone had knocked this woman, and that person was still in the alley.
Before she could react, Starling was grabbed. A white cloth was put over her mouth, and as Starling passed out she realized it was chloroform. Her attacker reached in her ear pulled out her earpiece, and left in in the alley taking Starling with, and disappearing without a trace.
"Master Damian, I do believe that Master Bruce forbade you from taking any part in work." Alfred said with a raised eyebrow. Though he didn't try to stop the teen.
"He forbade me from field work, this isn't the field last I checked." Damian replied. Damian said at the computer keeping track of everyone's whereabouts. He had a bad feeling, a very bad feeling.
"A loophole I'm sure he won't appreciate, Master Damian."
Damian sighed. Drake was fine, as was Brown. Cain was doing something in downtown Gotham. Todd, this was his night off. Grayson was away, and his father. Well, His father was in the east end close to Cain. They might be working together tonight. Damian checked back in on Mary's position. Notthing knew had been reported in fact she hadn't moved an inch since the last time he checked on her position. That sinking feeling in Damian stomach returned with a vengeance. It had been fifteen minutes since he last checked on Mary. She was on patrol there was no way she stayed in one position that long. Damian ran from the computer and hastingly put on his Robin uniform.
"Master Damian, You are grounded, or have you forgotten." Alfred yelled as the teen got onto his motor cycle.
"I have not." Robin replied grimly. "Alfred, call my father. Tell him I believe that Starling has been captured, and that I am in pursuit."
Alfred paled, Starling missing so close to when she almost died at the hands of the Joker. He didn't think he's heart could take another scare like that. "And what of her father?" Alfred asked.
"I don't want to ruin his mission before I even know if she's missing." Damian answered as his motorcycle roared to life, "I don't want to tell him till I know I'm right... But I pray that I'm wrong." and Robin shot out of the batcave full speed, following his tracker all the way to Starling's comm location.
Robin found the Alley empty save for a passed out woman.
"Hey, Wake up." Damian ordered rather harshly as he patted her cheek till she woke up. Her eyes quickly fluttered open.
"What? Oh My... What happened?" She asked rubbing her head.
"I was hoping you could tell me."
"A purse snatcher took my purse. I cried for help and that really young girl, Starling came and went after the guy. Just after she left a man came up behind me and put a rag around my mouth and nose. Next thing I know I'm waking up in your arms, young man." She told Robin.
Robin got up, now sure that the woman was fine, and scanned the alleyway for any clues. There right by where the woman lay was Her ear piece. Starling's ear piece, but no Starling. Robin swore.
"Batman." Robin pressed his ear piece.
"Did you find her?" Batman asked.
"No, Her ear piece was left in the alley. I have no way to start tracking her now." Robin swore he could hear Batman's teeth clench.
"Stay where you are. I'll meet you to see what you've found, then you need to go back to the cave." Batman ordered
"Excuse me?" Robin questioned. "Listen, Batman, Starling is my partner. It is my responsibility to find her. I refuse to sit back and wait for you to find her."
"Damian, It's dangerous out here tonight. I don't want-" Damian pulled the comm out of his ear, dropped it on the ground, and smashed it under his boot. It was his fault that Grayson was missing, and he was going to do everything in his power to find her.
Penguin watched the girls in the lounge work, and mused upon his most recent failure. His plan to get Two-Face and Black Mask to take each other out failed. Those damn bats. Oh well, at least they got what they deserved, now Black Mask and Two-Face would be after them. The Penguin chuckled at the idea.
Suddenly, the sound of Machine guns being fired startled the business man. His men looked confused for a moment before looking towards their boss for orders.
"Well, what are you waiting for! Go and find out what the hell is going on!" Penguin yelled at his men. Nodding each of them pulled out their handguns and ran towards the sound of gun fire. A few moments later the gunfire stopped and there was a terrified scream. Penguin laughed. Looks like he does pay enough for his men after all. He moved to get up from his seat when he felt a sharp blade resting against his neck. He then easily identified it it as a sword, but honestly that wasn't going through his mind at that very moment.
"Oswald Cobblepot, you have answers that I need." Whoever held him hostage growled.
"I ain't tellin' you nothing, pisspot!" He yelled. With a growl the assailant threw Penguin against the table harshly letting him get a glance at his attacker. It was Robin, the boy wonder. Who would have guessed that it was him who took out all of Penguin's security.
"Starling, I know someone has her, and I know you know who and where. I suggest answering quickly. My blade is hungry for the blood of my enemies."
"I said I ain't-" The Penguin screamed as Robin bent his arm back threatening to break it. "Fine! I heard a rumor that Two-Face had one of Batman's brats! I thought it was batgirl not the young one! He would be keeping her in one of his warehouses on the harbor!That's his usual sticht! That's all I know, I swear!" Slowly, Robin released The Penguin and threw to the ground.
"Well, be in touch." And Robin kicked him in the face knocking him out.
4 minutes later, The rest of Penguin's men arrived to find their boss out cold and whoever did the attacking long gone.
Robin breathed a sigh of relief when he found that Penguin's information had actually been right. Starling was in fact inside of the warehouse, and he was going to get her out. Sneaking into the place proved difficult. Two-face was expecting someone to save her, he wasn't wrong, but Robin wasn't going to fail. Too much was at stake to fail. As he got closer to the center of the warehouse he could finally see Starling, sitting tied to a chair.
She looked terrible. Her eyes swollen black, her cheek bones red from punches, and her mouth bloodied, but something seemed off about they way she looked. She looked more angry, then broken. In fact, It looked as if even though Two-face had her for four hours that he had yet to break her will. Her injuries and glare were testament to that. Robin admitted he was slightly impressed. He didn't think she could have held through torture being so new to being a vigilante.
"All you have to do is talk, little girl, and I'll end your suffering." Two-Face got close to Starling's face. She only glared at him in response.
"Go to hell, Pizza face." Starling declared boldly. Robin didn't have time to ponder Starling's words as Two-Face spoke again.
"You're going to break eventually." He told her. That's when Robin noticed a device in Two-faces hand. A trigger of some sorts, and when he pushed it Starling began to shake uncontrollably. Two-Face had electrified her chair. To her credit, Starling didn't scream, and Robin knew it had to hurt like shit. But Starling only gritted her teeth and bared the pain. Two face let go of the switch, to Robin it felt like such a long time, but in reality it was only about three minutes.
"Is that all you got?" She questioned with a condescending smirk that reminded Robin of her father.
"Not at all, Duckling." Two-Face sneered he moved to push the button again. Robin narrowed his eyes, he couldn't let him do that. Robin jumped down from the rafters above, ready to ponce onto Two-Face when he was suddenly shot straight in the chest before he could reach the ground.
Robin caught off of guard did all he could to avoid landing wrongly, but of course he dislocated his shoulder in the fall. Stopping rather harshly at Two-faces feet Robin could feel how broken ribs he had, but he wasn't dead. He should have been, but he wasn't.
Two-Face looked down at Robin on the ground, "Look at that, pretty bird. Someone did try to save you. Didn't I tell you it was only a matter of time?" Two-Face kicked Robin lightly as if checking to see if he was still alive. "This one still alive, Joe." He called out.
"Yeah, boss. I hit him with a round of rock salt. It'll sting like a bitch, but he ain't meeting Jesus any time soon." The crook said, replacing the the ammo he had just lost.
"Well, well, well, If I didn't know any better I would say this is Robin. He your boyfriend, or something?" Starling only glared at Two-Face even more harshly than she had before. "Don't worry I won't kill him... Yet. "
"Let him go!" Starling yelled.
Two-Fash laughed harshly in her face, "I don't think so, but since I do everything in twos anyways, I'll cut you a deal kid, You tell me everything I would need to know to take out Batman, like his secret identity, location of his secret base, and I'll let the both of ya go. What do you say to that?"
"I say that you're going to a very hot place when you die." She answered in a cheeky tone. She smiled at him, which didn't look as sweet as it normally did with her current injuries.
Two-Face returned her fake smile, "Tie him boys, upside down. I wonder how long it will take for the blood to rush to his head." Starling's cheeky grin faltered as she watched Robin being dragged to the other side of the room and hung upside down by his feet. She breathed slightly easier knowing he wasn't in any immediate danger, still they were in some serious trouble, and now would be coming to save them. She had to at least get Robin out of here.
Robin, only half conscious from his fall, eyed Starling with his blurring failing vision. He was bleeding but nothing too serious. He had failed to free Starling his first try, but he wouldn't be failing another time. He just had to wait for them to not pay attention to him, and he would get down himself.
"Take off his Belt, Gloves, and Boots. I know how the bats work. Can't have him escaping." Two-Face ordered. He turned back to Starling. "I'm giving you one last chance, Bird girl. The information I want or I will kill the both of you." Starling continued to glare at the man. Now Robin had no way of escaping all of his tools were in those parts of his uniform. They had nothing left. This is why Two-Face was an A-lister Starling realized. Before the incident with the Joker, Starling thought she was untouchable, but that was old Starling. The new Starling knew very well how close to death she came each night she went out in uniform, and she didn't care. She had to continue to help people, and right now the only people who needed rescuing were herself, and Robin. She had to think of a plan. She just had to. Stephanie's words from earlier in the week came back to her.
You see the bigger the picture...
The bigger picture. What was the bigger picture? Pressure hadn't been on her like this before, this time there was no failsafe. There was no Nightwing, there was no Batman. So what is the bigger picture, Starling thought to herself. The bigger picture. Starling took a deep breathe calming herself, and looked around the room. A standard warehouse, by the dock, but there had to be something she could use to free Robin. Something she could use to help them get out of there. Starling moved her confined feet slightly and heard an odd changeling noise. It was glass. There was glass on the floor. Starling almost sighed in relief.
Robin watched as Two-Face approached Starling, "So, girl, Tell me what I need to know to get my money back, or die."
Starling started laughing, "You really think I'm going to tell you anything, you big moron." She mocked him, "Batman will be here any minute, and once he gets here your butt will be rotting in Arkham, pizza face. I hope you feel good about yourself. You can't even take out real heroes anymore, I mean come on! I'm freaking 11, and it took all of your power to hold me and 13 year old here! Really, Dent, I thought you were an A-lister. The best of the best. When I started out you were one of the people I was afraid of going up against, but I was wrong. I've been using you this whole time! I now have enough to get you and your whole gang locked up for a very long time. You let a little girl play you, Harvey. How does that feel? You're not even in Gotham's big league, well the league of biggest losers."
Robin stared at Starling confused. What was her angle?
Two Fash grabbed Starling by the collar hoisting her up to his eye level. "You better watch your mouth, bird girl. Before you end up-" Starling head butted Two-Face in the nose, and heard a satisfying crunch of his nose and smirked to herself. With a scream of rage, Two-face dropped Starling, chair and all to the ground causing her to land on her side. Starling reached for the broken glass, quickly used it to uncut herself, then prayed to the goddess X'hal that this plan would work. Jason always told her she had good aim. Starling chucked the sharp piece of broken glass towards the rope holding Robin, and to her luck it cut the rope just enough so that it couldn't stand the teens weight and dropped him to the ground.
"You little bitch!" Two-Face roared as he moved to kick the Starling still stuck on the ground tied to the chair. Just as he wa about to kick Starling grabbed another piece of broken and stabbed him in the foot causing him to howl in pain once more. "That's it, birg girl. It's time to decide your fate." Two-Face flipped his marred double sided coin. "Tails, little girl. " He announced. he pulled out his gun and pointed it at Starling's head. "You lose."
"No, You lose." A Batarang suddenly hit Two-face straight in the face followed by a well placed kick to the groin. Robin had broken free, and was very angry. He easily tripped Two-Face making him fall to the ground. Robin swiftly picked up his gun and aimed it at Two-Face's head.
"What happened to my men that were watching you?" Two-Face asked.
"They really shouldn't play with utility belts with knockout gas triggers on them." Robin answered. He glared at Two-Face. "I should kill you." He said he unlocked the gun's safety. He aimed then pulled the trigger, only for it to click. Robin opened his hand and let all of the bullet's fall to the ground. "But I won't." He finished. "Remember who spared your life, when I could have so easily taken it." Then He punched Two-face in the stomach hard, knocking him out.
It was over. No big fight. No calling for outside help. They had did. They had saved each other.
"Starling, Are you okay?" Robin moved to her side.
"I'm fine, a little beaten up, but fine all around." She answered. He frowned at her lie.
"How long was he electrocuting you before I got here?" He asked her. Starling's face dropped,
"You saw that?" She paled.
"Oh Yeah." He said. Robin began to untie her bound arm.
"It didn't hurt all that much. Tamaranian durability and all that."
"Still, I'm impressed most couldn't have handle that level of interrogational torture." He told her
"We're not most people, Damian." Starling responded. He paused as he thought for a minute.
"How was he giving you shocks? Your suit is insulated." He told her narrowing his eyes at her. Starling bit her lip. Robin's eyes traveled down to Starling's legs which had two metal rod sticking out of them. That's why she couldn't get up to fight Two-Face off. He had stabbed her in the legs knowing and shock giving to her would be blocked by the suit, so he went deeper. Delivering the shocks straight to the inside of her body where there was no insulation. "Fucking Shit, Starling." Robin cursed.
"I'm fine." Starling said rolling her eyes. Robin looked at her not amused.
"I swear sometimes you are so much like your father I could kill you. He does the same thing with down playing injuries." He stated. "If you can stand on your own, then I'll believe that your fine." Starling frowned. He knew there was no way even with Her tamaranian slightly advanced healing that she couldn't stand yet. "I thought so." He rolled his eyes at her. "You're so stupid."
"You're stupid!" She retorted. "Why did you come after me alone, moron!"
"We're partners, right?" He told her. Starling paused. She hadn't been expecting that, but she was glad he said it.
"Yeah, of course we are." She said. And in that moment Robin and Starling truly became partners.
"Ok a dislocated shoulder, Electric burns on the legs, numerous cuts and bruises, and 4 broken ribs." Tim read out off both Mary and Damian's injuries. "How the hell did you manage that?" He asked.
"Well, we stopped a turf war in Gotham shifted their views to us, got captured and tortured for information/revenge. That sound about right, Grayson?" Damian asked.
"I don't know, I kinda have a concussion also so I don't remember." Mary joked.
Tim smiled at the two, "We're glad that you two are okay, we were looking Gotham up and down trying to find you, then you call us from the bunker seriously injured. You know most of us don't start our solo careers with getting hurt."
"New record! YEAH!" Mary cheered. "High five, Damian!" Mary held out her hand to be high fived.
"No."
"Don't leave me hanging."
"You're a moron."
"Your mom's a moron." Mary retorted.
"Are you 10?" Damian asked completely outraged by her comeback.
"Silly, Damian. I'm 11, totally more mature than a stupid 10 year old."
"Mary, you were 10 two months ago." Tim reminded.
Mary sighed in an over dramatic fashion, "OMG, Tim, why you gotta bring up old crap?" Tim rolled his eyes at her.
"Anyway, I'm heading to work." Tim announced as he walked to the door. "I wonder where Dick is. I mean he's such a mother hen that I thought he be-"
"MARY!" It seemed that Tim was right, much to his unluckiness. Dick plowed through him, hitting him in the face with the door, to get to his daughter's side. "Are you okay? I got here as soon as I can!"
"I'm fine, daddy." Mary pleaded, "No need to worry now that the danger's gone."
"I can't believe this happened so close after the incident with the Joker. You had me worried when Bruce called me saying that Two-Face had you."
"Two-Face wasn't that bad. Why are you worried still?" Mary asked.
Dick sighed, "When I was about 16, Two-Face kidnapped Batman, and almost killed me. He almost beat me to death. It was what caused me and Bruce to start fighting before I quit being Robin, and became Nightwing. It was one of the reasons I moved out of the Manor. Bruce was unbearable at the time, but then again so was I." Dick remembered
"Woah." Mary blinked up at her father, "I didn't know that."
"Two-Face is dangerous, and still a sore spot for me, so I usually don't like dealing with him."
"But sometimes, you just can't help it." Tim finished for him.
"Yup." Dick nodded in agreement. "I understand if you two don't want to be partners anymore. I'll make it so that I don't have to do a lot of league missions and I can stay here."
Mary shook her head, "No way, You're supposed to be in the Justice League, I mean you were a kid when they created it. So you have to be in it, Dad." Mary said. "Besides, this one little slip up didn't completely put me off of working with Damian."
"Okay." Dick said, "What about you, Damian?"
"I Have the same sentiments." He said.
"Alright. Well I'm going to let you two rest down here for now. I'll talk to you later. " Dick said with a wave. "Coming, Tim?" Tim nodded.
"Bye dad. Bye Tim." Mary waved as they left. "Soo, Partners?" she asked.
"We are Gotham's best, after all." Damian said reassuring her.
Gotham won't know what hit them.
Final Word Count: 10234
Hello again lovelies! This is just a new chapter to start off the arc. Damian and Mary are now partners, so it's going to be a lot of them in Gotham doing there thing and growing up together. This will also be the last arc. I won't be going into any more arcs after this. Don't worry it won't be as short as Zero Year or Nightwing & Starling. This is an arc that I knew I was going to do even before some of the chapters, and I'm uber excited that it's finally here.
Now onto the juicy details. I did omit two parts of this chapter. One during the interrogation, I had Mary stab Remy Hart in the hand and that's how they got the info they needed. Looking back on it I thought it was a little out of character for her right now. It's something I think could happen when Mary's older, but right now. The other was some more witty banter between Mary and Damian after they defeat Two-Face. It was a little boring plus I think I had enough witty banter during the recovery scene.
All in all, did I like this chapter?
Kinda?
I'm mean it was good to introduce you to the arc, but last chapter was definitely my Magnum Opus. It was the most fun to write, I was never bored writing it.
Tell me what's you're favorite chapter! I would love to know. Also I love any ideas you guys have about anything some of the characters would do or situations you could see them in. I have a lot more chapters already planned, but I love to hear your ideas. You guys are just so creative and helpful!
Special thanks to my reviewers from last chapter: 21 is awesome, MASSHERO-95, and Victory Goddess!
You guys really have no idea how much you help me with my writing process. Never be afraid to tell me anything. You guys are like totally my best friends now!
Don't forget to favorite/review!
Love always,
Miyu K.~ December 26, 2014
Next chapter: Songbirds & Arrows