My name is Dick Grayson. When I was young, my parents were murdered right in front of my eyes. I swore that, no matter what it took, I would get justice for them, and make their murderer pay. Ever since then, I've been training with a man- a dark knight. And now, to get justice for my parents, I will become someone else. I will be reborn and rise.

-Within a dark cave, The Past-

Two possible routes. One has less structural weaknesses, but that route is slightly trickier to maneuver. If I fail, I could fall onto the rocks below- and I'll be sidelined another few days with broken ribs while Alfred chastises me. But if I take the other route, the rock face could crumble, and I'd face the same outcome.

A shadow leapt from precarious pillar to precarious pillar. Its speed was incredible, but the acrobatic athleticism was much more impressive. It soar through the air, but the shadow cared not for praises at this current moment- it was more preoccupied with getting better and finishing this course.

Keep moving. In twenty seconds, Batarangs will fly at me. I can dodge the first two, but the third won't be aiming for me- it'll have an explosive and land at the pillar I'll land on. I'll have a split second to determine which path to take- left or right. Which is the lesser risk? Thwangs in the air- here they come.

Just as the shadow predicted, three sleek objects were launched from the darkness, making their way towards the shadow. They were shaped like a bat, but were no toy, being sharp enough to severely hurt- or even kill, if ever used in such a manner.

I can see them, almost like they're flying at me in slow motion. Or perhaps I've simply gotten used to knife-like boomerangs flying towards me. One to my left hamstring, the other to my right shoulder. Designed so that I'd have to pick left or right, but still get cut. Still, he's underestimating me if he thinks I have to choose between those two.

If I can make this flip…

As two of the sleek objects closed in on the shadow, the shadow twisted in midair. Making its form as horizontal as possible, it prayed that it would be enough to make it through the narrow path between the two batarangs. And, surprisingly enough, it was- the shadow slipped in between the flight path of the two batarangs and rolled to its left, continuing in a forward motion that brought it face to face with another precarious pillar and the third batarang.

… Not gonna lie, I didn't think I'd be able to make that. But now's not the time to self-congratulate. Time to make a choice: left or right?

… I'll have to be fast.

As soon as the shadow landed a foot on the pillar, the third batarang made solid contact with the metallic floor. A light turned on, and went from green to red in a split second. Having made its decision, the shadow quickly jumped forward and to the left, towards a tricky set of pillars that descended onto a large platform- but with large gaps between them. The batarang exploded behind the shadow as it made its way toward the next pillar, and was already calculating its next move.

Ok… ok… Never went this route before. Don't know what's going to happen. I'll have to think on my feet- literally. I'll have to- oh crap!

The shadow dodged to its right as a bullet went sailing past its left rib. It would've made contact, had the shadow not noticed the red dot sight only a split second before.

Dodge, Dick, dodge!

Doing its best, the shadow jumped from pillar to pillar in a descending fashion while red dot sights- from all around it- aimed and shot rounds at the flying figure. Once or twice, a bullet almost grazed the shadow, and it could feel the air trailing behind the bullet, or whistling right past its ear. Nevertheless, the shadow finally landed on the large platform that it had been making its way towards. No sooner had this accomplishment been done, unfortunately, that several human-like objects launched towards the figure.

Oh you've got to be kidding me!

The figure used the momentum of the first "body" and his own strength to spin it around like a hurricane, flinging it against two more "bodies" flying at him. He then jumped back, dodging a fourth "body". Just as he thought that he was done, he felt something flying at him from behind, and using pure instinct, let loose a reverse roundhouse kick, his heel making solid contact with the "face" of the fifth "body". As the "body" went flying, the figure whirled around and adopted a fighting stance, preparing for another "body" to fly at his face.

Just as he was catching his breath, lights flooded the cave. Not suspecting it, the figure covered its eyes as he took some time to adjust.

"Good job, Dick," a deep voice commented from somewhere above the figure.

Dick Grayson, the young circus boy-turned-ward of one of Gotham's richest men, turned to look at his benefactor. His mentor. His surrogate father. He grinned. "Thanks," Dick panted.

"So, care for another go?" the dark knight smiled.

-X-

An hour later, Dick Grayson lay on the floor of the Batcave, drenched in so much sweat, people would think he just came out of a storm. As he gasped for air, his mentor walked up to him, suited up in his outfit for crime fighting. Most sane people would think that dressing up like a bat was a silly idea- hell, for a long time, Dick thought the same thing. Then again, it doesn't matter if you think it looks stupid or not when he comes at you and bashes your face against a wall.

"You've only been training with me for the past few months, but you're sharper than I ever anticipated," the dark knight stated. "And now, I've got some good news for you."

Dick looked at him, expectant eyes meeting eyes that could convey absolute terror, but now- amazingly- showed hope. "You found him?" he whispered.

"Yes," the dark knight confirmed. "He's holed up in one of his old safe houses. I've gathered enough evidence to lock him up when he gets to trial- all I need to do is bring him in front of the courthouse."

Despite his weariness, Dick bolted to his feet. A fire blazed within him, knowing that he would now help his mentor take down the man that was responsible for the death of his parents. "Alright, let's go," Dick smiled devilishly.

"Not so fast," the dark knight warned. "I know what you're thinking."

"And what am I thinking?" Dick challenged.

"You're not going in there with me. You're going to stay on the comms system and provide overwatch from a nearby rooftop."

W-what!? Overwatch!? I'm just gonna be some glorified camera!? "Mr. Wayne, you know how much this means to me. I need to take him down. I need justice."

"You will get justice, Dick. And so will your parents. But you are not ready for that safehouse. You've made great strides over the past few months, but what I will be facing in that safehouse is leagues above what you've trained for. And hopefully, if I can capture Tony Zucco tonight, all that training I've given you will never be needed again. You'll be overwatch, Dick."

"But Mr. Wayne-"

"Overwatch," the dark knight sternly repeated, this time with his ominous voice. Dick knew that there was no arguing with him once his mind was set so. Disappointed, he sighed and nodded his head. Recognizing the disappointment in the young man, the dark knight put his hand on Dick's shoulder. In a fatherly voice, he said, "I know you wanted to be there when I took him down. I know you've been dreaming of this ever since your parents were murdered. If you're angry, then be angry with me. But believe me when I say that I scouted out that place, and if you went in there… you might not come out. Leave this to me."

In his heart, Dick knew that he was right. Despite all of the training that he had been doing for the past few months, he very rarely encountered thugs with guns. Furthermore, he still remembered what happened the last time he and the dark knight raided one of Tony Zucco's safehouses- how he almost snapped and killed a man in cold blood, just for being associated with Tony Zucco. In a safehouse full of flying bullets and men sworn to protect the man who murdered his parents, Dick couldn't trust himself to show any restraint. The fire burned too hotly within him.

Looking up at his mentor, he asked, "Promise me, Mr. Wayne: get that son of a bitch."

With determination showing behind the cowl and scowl, the dark knight nodded. He pressed something on his left wrist, and machines whizzed and whirred as a platform rose from the left of them, carrying a sleek, ebony car with it. As this happened, an older looking gentleman began walking down the stairs leading to one of the Batcave's exits.

"Are you leaving now, Master Bruce?" the gentleman asked.

"Yes, Alfred. It's time," the dark knight confirmed. He began striding towards the car, with Dick following suit.

"Master Bruce, are you taking Master Richard with you as well?" Alfred asked with evident alarm.

"He won't be in the thick of the fight- right, Dick?" the dark knight responded, looking at Dick. Dick nodded, though showed his reluctance at being stuck at the sidelines. Turning his attention back to Alfred, the dark knight continued, "He'll simply be providing overwatch, though I'd like you to be on the computer as well, Alfred. You can never be too prepared."

"Of course, Master Bruce," Alfred sighed. "Do try not to injure yourself too badly tonight. And if you could return by two in the morning, I would greatly appreciate that. Perhaps then, your dinner won't be cold."

"We'll try to be back by then," the dark knight smiled.

"See you in a bit, Alfred," Dick waved.

"Be careful, Master Richard," Alfred warned. With that last warning, the two men entered the vehicle, and, as soon as a lit and elevated track presented itself, sped off into the twisting and winding passageways of the Batcave, finally leading to the outside world.

-X-

From a chilly rooftop across the street from a seemingly run-down apartment building, Dick Grayson shivered slightly in his red hoodie and black tights. To the casual observer, it might've seemed like a weird outfit, but the clothes kept Dick surprisingly warm and allowed him far better movement than jeans or any other pair of pants. Regardless, Dick picked up the special binoculars that the dark knight left him and stared through the bricks, tracking the dark knight via his heat signature.

"You're all clear," Dick stated into the comm piece on his ear. "I don't see any other heat signatures throughout the entire building except for yours. Actually… that's weird. There aren't any heat signatures throughout the building except for yours."

"Yeah. And I know why," the dark knight commented grimly.

"Y-you do? Why?"

"It's because Zucco's men are dead."

For a moment, Dick panicked. His armed guards were dead? Why? And could Zucco be…?

"Stay on your toes, Dick," the dark knight warned. "Whomever killed these men might still be around. Alfred, can you do a search on what looks like cross-shaped shuriken?"

"Indeed, sir," Alfred said from his end of the comm line. As Alfred did his search on the computer back in the Batcave, Dick continued to look for any other signs of life- any indication that perhaps, he wasn't robbed of his justice yet. He was beginning to lose hope when he noticed that he had missed two heat signatures- near the top of the building.

"I don't know how I missed them earlier, but there are two heat signatures near the top floor," Dick announced. "It could be Zucco and whomever killed Zucco's men. Or maybe it's Zucco and one of his bodyguards. Either way, you should probably get up there stat."

"Understood. You're sure you see no one else, Dick?"

"I'm positive about that. The only heat signatures are you and the two at the top."

"Roger that. I'm on my way."

There was silence for a few minutes as the dark knight began picking up his speed in his ascent to the top of the building. As Dick waited with bated breath for the dark knight to get to the top of the building and finally hold Tony Zucco accountable for his parents' deaths, he heard Alfred audibly gasp from the other end.

"Oh no… oh no no no…" Alfread moaned.

"Alfred? What's wrong?" the dark knight asked.

"Master Bruce, you need to get out of there. Now."

"What? Why? Alfred, what's going on?"

"I've identified those cross-shaped shuriken. It seems there's only one possible source for it: an assassin that goes by the name of 'Lady Shiva'."

"Lady Shiva? Who's that?" Dick asked, puzzled.

"That's… a problem," the dark knight commented. "But why would she be gunning after Tony Zucco? Who did Zucco piss off…? It doesn't matter. If she's here for him, I need to get to him before she can kill him."

Dick watched as the dark knight redoubled his efforts once more. Meanwhile, with his question still unanswered, Dick asked, "Um… Alfred? Who's Lady Shiva?"

"She's an assassin- one of the deadliest in the world," Alfred explained. "She has a high price, but it's guaranteed that whomever she targets is a dead man. No one's ever lived to tell the tale of what she looks like, and no one really knows her identity. All that is known are whispers from the worldwide underworld that speak of her skill. It's rumored, Master Richard, that no one has ever defeated her in combat."

A lump formed in Dick's throat, and he suddenly felt very uneasy for the dark knight. "But surely, Mr. Wayne's going to be able to-"

"If I may speak truthfully, Master Richard, I don't know if even Master Bruce can best her. It's best if he stays away from her and flees now."

"Thanks for your concern, but if Lady Shiva is here to kill Tony Zucco, then I need to stop her," the dark knight reiterated. "Again, I don't know why she's here, but I'll figure that out after I stop her."

"Wait, Mr. Wayne!" Dick shouted, now very frightened for his mentor. He looked through the binoculars and saw the heat signature that was the dark knight approach the two heat signatures that he had spotted.

Dick began tapping his foot as the nerves of the confrontation began to take its hold on him. If Lady Shiva was as good as the rumors say, could Mr. Wayne truly stand a chance in a fight against her? He knew how good his mentor was, but still… Unfortunately, all Dick could do is look at the heat signatures- which hadn't moved even an inch for a few seconds- and hope that whatever happened, he wouldn't be robbed of a second father.

For a few moments, the heat signatures stood thus, as though Dick was looking at a tableau. Then, two of the heat signatures finally began circling around one another. Dick recognized what this was: his mentor was preparing to fight. As long as his mentor could gain a tactical advantage, perhaps things won't go so poorly- but then again, in a relatively small space, could the dark knight gain the tactical advantage he'd need?

His question was answered when the two circling heat signatures finally collided. The third heat signature, which had been petrified and rooted to its spot, suddenly began descending rapidly through the building.

"Mr. Wayne, is Tony Zucco escaping?" Dick desperately asked.

"Couldn't- stop him- Lady Shiva- can't," the dark knight responded through various grunts.

Dick looked through his binoculars once more, and saw that though one of the heat signatures- the signature that appeared to be the dark knight- looked like it had dealt a few blows to the other heat signature, the presumed assassin had begun striking with deadly speed and accuracy, easily incapacitating the dark knight. Meanwhile, the third heat signature continued its descending escape.

Cursing his luck, he knew that he had to make a choice now: get to his mentor, or stop Tony Zucco from escaping. Attempt to fight an assassin, or attempt to get justice. Left or right.

… I'll have to be fast.

Dick threw down the binocular and was about to take off when he saw a shadow tossed from a window on the top floor. The shadow tried to break its fall by gliding downwards, but still crash landed on the alley below.

"No!" Dick exclaimed. Meanwhile, a second shadow made its way down via the side of the building, using a rope for a controlled descent. As the second figure began closing in on the dark knight, Dick knew that he had to stop her before she reached his mentor for the kill.

With energy coursing through his body, Dick leapt from the rooftop and parkoured his way to the ground, rushing in to see a female figure wrapped in a dark suit walking up to the dark knight with two scimitars in hand. Around her waist was a belt with many different pouches, and the suit was, as Dick could analyze, perfectly composed to allow for a myriad of flexible movement while providing at least some protection from harm, as well as concealing the identity of the wearer.

"Stop!" Dick yelled. Stopping just short of the dark knight lying on the floor in front of her, Lady Shiva stared at Dick with cold, soulless eyes.

"Oh? Who's this, Mr. Bat?" she asked with a taunting voice. "A little protégé bat?"

"Not a bat," Dick bantered back.

"Then who- or what- are you?"

… Huh. Didn't think of that, Dick admitted to himself. Wait, why do I have to think about that now!? I've got more important things to worry about! Setting himself, he began to analyze the opponent in front of him. Perfectly balanced. Muscles loose, though slightly tensed- ready to react quickly. Swords are sharp, though look slightly lighter than they would betray- primarily for cutting and slowing down, but not stabbing. Any of those pouches could contain the cross-shaped shuriken-

"Are you trying to read me, little boy?" Lady Shiva wondered. "You'd be better off fleeing. I have no time to waste with someone like you- I must fulfill my contract and kill Tony Zucco, and then I might come back and kill this foolish bat for getting in my way."

With that, something snapped within Dick. He knew that there was no more time to stand around and try to read her. He'd just have to rush in and adapt to the situation. Besides, wasn't that what he was best at- adapting?

"Alright then. I'm doing reading- how bout playing instead!?" With that, Dick charged at Lady Shiva. He cocked his fist back, feigning an attempt to deliver a haymaker right at her. As expected, she gracefully balanced on a hind foot and put her hands up, ready to block his blow. Smiling, he leapt over her, doing a somersault and launching a roundhouse kick to her face. Unexpectedly for Dick, however, she caught his kick and, using his own leg, threw him at the far wall.

Having been tossed too many times to count in the past, Dick knew exactly how to react. Moving quickly, he positioned his body so that as soon as his legs made contact with the wall, he could spring back and launch himself at Lady Shiva. Having thus sprung, he this time aimed his body like a spear at her midsection, intending to tackle her to the ground. Reacting with equally amazing speed, however, Lady Shiva sidestepped the bullet boy, and as he tumbled to a stop next to the alley wall, she resumed her fighting stance.

"Impressive, little boy," Lady Shiva complemented Dick. "You move fluidly from move to move. You, in fact, remind me of a little Robin."

"A Robin, huh?" Dick stated. "Maybe that's what I should be called then."

"So you admit that you had no name prior to rushing into this fray like a little fool?" Lady Shiva taunted.

… Dammit, she's got me there. "Yeah."

"Even the bat had a name. But it matters not, little bird. I shall still teach you some manners."

Now deciding to take the offensive, Lady Shiva leapt into the air with her blades, bringing them down in a slicing motion. Relying on instinct, Dick leapt backwards. As soon as he had regained his footing, however, Lady Shiva brought her blades back on a myriad of swipes, launching them from different angles in an attempt to catch the young man. He dodged them as best as he could while trying to find an opening for a counter attack. At last, an opportunity presented himself when he jumped backwards once more and Lady Shiva aimed both of her blades horizontally in an attempt to slash him at the chest and the hamstrings. Recognizing the similarity to the batarangs from before, Dick leapt forward and angled his body as horizontally as possible, bypassing the blades and allowing himself to use his weight to press on her, catching the assassin off guard and sending the both of them to the ground, with him perpendicularly on top of her.

When they hit the ground, Dick quickly got up and tried to land a punch straight to her face, only to be caught by her legs catching his neck in a vise. Using only her lower body, she launched Dick over her, and the young man tumbled around to where his mentor lay.

"You show much potential, little bird," Lady Shiva commented.

"Oh, I've got more than potential, Lady Shiva," Dick panted, getting up. "I've also got a winning smile, and a mean fist!" He launched himself forward once more, feigning another incoming fist, only to this time sweep her legs. This caught Lady Shiva, and as she tumbled downwards, Dick tried to circle his leg sweep once more to kick the falling assassin in the face. However, she quickly rolled out of the way and, throwing her scimitars to her sides, leapt at him. Without feigning a thing, she punched through Dick's blocking arms, landing a fist squarely on his jaw and staggering the young man. She then kicked him in the abdomen, knocking the wind out of him, before throwing an uppercut that sent him flying once more to where the dark knight was beginning to stir.

"So much promise, little bird. Even more promise than the bat, in fact," Lady Shiva tut tutted. "You could become much more as a student of mine. What do you say?"

With pain beginning to really register, Dick could barely get to a standing position, slouching his shoulders and panting heavily, trying to wipe away blood that was he was beginning to cough up. Despite all this, Dick defiantly stared at Lady Shiva, conveying all he needed to do with just his stare.

"I see. I shall return one day, little bird, and maybe then you will change your mind. Until then, take care of your mentor, and remember to stay out of my way. Next time, I won't go easy on either of you." Lady Shiva collected both of her scimitars, sheathing them behind her back, and then letting something roll to the alleyway behind her. Soon, smoke began to billow out, thick enough that Dick couldn't see to the other side. "You've cost my precious time, little bird. It seems my employer is calling me back now. Perhaps I shall continue my hunt for Tony Zucco- or perhaps not. Either way, remember that if you accost Lady Shiva once more, you will die. Until next time, little Robin- farewell." And with that, Lady Shiva disappeared into the smoke she created.

-X-

Back in the Batcave, Alfred tended to the wounds of both the dark knight, and the newly christened Robin. He chastised both of them for their incredibly irresponsible decision to engage the assassin, and sternly reminded them both that they were lucky to be alive. To Dick, it seemed like both him and his mentor were little children in front of Alfred. In fact, he presumed he wasn't far off the mark.

As Alfred left to get some more bandages, Mr. Wayne turned to look at Dick with his own expression of anger. "What the hell were you thinking, Dick?" he demanded. "You could've been killed!"

"What would've you wanted me to do, Mr. Wayne?" Dick countered. "Just stand by and watch you be killed? I already lost a father right in front of my eyes- I wasn't going to let it happen a second time."

This silenced him, and they both turned away from each other. "You're still not ready, Dick," Mr. Wayne finally commented.

"Then help me be ready," Dick pleaded.

For a moment, the dark knight considered his options. Then, grunting in pain, he made his way to the Batcomputer, Dick watching him intently.

"Computer, retrieve item 'Domino-two'," he spoke. The computer whizzed and whirred, before finally a slot opened, revealing a black domino mask. Taking it in his hand, he walked back to Dick.

"To be honest, I had hoped that this day wouldn't come," Mr. Wayne began. "I hoped that you would never join me in this life… in the same capacity as me. I knew that you were exposed to a dark tragedy, but I had hoped that you would escape the fate that I embraced. But if you are so intent on pursuing this life- in joining me in this crusade- then what I can do is prepare you for it."

Dick put out his hand, and Mr. Wayne put the mask in it. "Tomorrow, whether our injuries have healed or not, we will amp up your training. Furthermore, you will need a proper suit. And though you will eventually be joining me in the field, you will still obey my orders, understand?'

"Yes," Dick nodded.

"Good. For now, we will rest and recover. But tomorrow, we will train, and soon, Gotham will have more than one protector.

"Gotham will have Batman and Robin."

A/N: Hey everybody! BKA37 here! Sorry I'm a week and a few hours late with this episode- personal issues have delayed me in writing and posting this episode. At least I was still able to get it out on a Thursday! Fun fact: I'm pretty sure this was the first time I ever said "Batman" (don't worry, there's a reason for that). Anyway, since this week was a flashback-centric episode, I wanna ask this: do you like it when I incorporate the past in Nightwing? You know, bring up stuff like Dick Grayson's time as Robin, or perhaps his early days as Nightwing? Or would you rather that I don't even address that, and focus solely on the present day?

I can't guarantee that Episode 9 comes out next Thursday on time, but I will do my best to get it out by then! So until next time, everyone! And remember, feel free to leave me feedback- what'd you think of this episode, and the series so far?