Cypher wants revenge against Batman and his former third Robin. What better way to get revenge than to use the Wayne Family to lure everyone to their doom.
Subliminal Death
By
AJ
Part 6: Nightwing Turns
Red Robin raced to Gotham and to Maple and 9th Streets. He found Jason in an alley unconscious. His right arm badly twisted at an unnatural angle that suggest it was broken. He had to take care of him first. Jason was heavy to lift, but Red Robin managed to get him on his bike. It was an awkward position. Red Robin had to use something to strap Jason to him so they wouldn't over balance.
'I should have brought my Red Bird,' Red Robin thought. 'It would have been a lot easier. Let's hope we don't get into an accident or run into anyone.'
Red Robin headed back to the cave by another route. He put his bike in stealth mode to make sure he wasn't followed. .
Jason came partially to when he felt the wind on his face. 'Tim . . . Our brother . . . '
"Take it easy Jay," Red Robin comforted his brother. 'Sammie will get you fixed up.'
'It's got to be Cypher,' Jason said in Tim's mind. 'He's the one doing this. It's happened before. Read it in Bruce's files. You have to find out where the Cypher is. He uses his voice somehow to persuade Dick. Use of radio waves matching brainwaves. Have to block him somehow.'
Red Robin could almost feel the pain Jason was going through, through their link. 'I'm not being affected. Caleb somehow blocked off a portion of my mind. He can't touch me. Caleb can do that for you after Sammie heals you. I need to get you back to the cave.'
'Okay . . . ' Jason said before he passed out, again.
Red Robin got Jay to the cave and helped him to the medical bay and laid him down on one of the gurneys. 'SAMMIE . . . JASON NEEDS YOU!' Tim shouted through his mind.
Samantha heard Red Robin scream for her through their mind link. She hurried to the elevator and took it down to the cave and rushed to the medical bay to see Jay on a gurney. "What happened?"
"It was Dick," Red Robin said. "You'll have to ask him about the rest. Get Caleb. I'm going after our brother." Red Robin moved back to his motorcycle and left the cave to return to Gotham.
Dick Grayson found the entrance to one of the safe houses. He found a uniform that had been stashed there in case he needed to change his uniform for one reason or another. The part of himself that was Nightwing, heard Cypher's instruction. Deep down Dick had complained that being a hero was tiring at times, no time for a social life, no time for friends. At one time, he did think about quitting. Now, Cypher was bringing out those feelings, again, but with a twist.
'You're sick of being a hero,' Cypher whispered. "You can be the big man. You can take over . . . For both of us.' Cypher weaved his thoughts carefully. Then he shut off the device. 'That should be enough for now. I don't want to push it. With Nightwing doing the heavy lifting, when the time comes, I'll get rid of all the bats.'
The piece of Dick Grayson who was Nightwing thought the villains were nothing but scum, but another piece was starting to believe that being a hero was becoming boring.
'It might just be fun,' Nightwing thought to himself. 'I'm tired of being a goodie two shoes all the time. I want to know what it's like to be on the other side for once, to know what it feels like. I haven't had such feelings since . . .' A memory was stirred when Dick was a teenager. 'I never did get to kiss that girl. Maybe I'll look her up.'
A third part of him had also been awakened, but only watched with curiosity. That part wasn't sure what to make of things. Talon D sat back to observe as Nightwing searched and found his prey.
'Where is that grimy bastard?' Nightwing growled to himself. 'I know they let him out of Arkham.'
Nightwing found the informant he had been searching for. He dropped down behind guy, yanked him into the darkened alley, and shoved him up against the brick wall, a little more roughly than he normally would do. "Hello, Chester," Nightwing glared. "You're going to talk, or I'll snap your neck."
Chester was a small man. He was the timid type, one who didn't want to draw attention to himself, but always willing to do the odd job or two. He was also a good listener. He could read people's lips. No one really paid attention to Chester, that's what made him one of the best snitches in the business. He could slip in and out of places, organizations, and criminal groups easily. He was surprised that Nightwing would even threaten his life. Usually, he was one of the good ones. He would bring him a meal and hidden within that meal was enough money to feed himself for a month. He was getting well paid, but this time, there was no meal, and no money.
"Please . . . Please don't hurt me," Chester said, his voice sounding shaky.
"Black mask, where is he, and don't lie to me."
"He went back . . . To . . . to Bludhaven . . . He plans to return to Gotham when he gets more men."
"How fast do you think you can get the word out that Nightwing is willing to help Black Mask take over Gotham. Only if he gets here before night fall, like today."
"You? Join, Black Mask?" Chester's eyes went wide. 'What's his game?'
"Am I fucking stuttering?" Nighwing growled. "I am willing to join him." Nightwing put a little pressure on the informant's throat. "And you better follow my instructions to the letter."
"Aaagh . . . Sure . . . Sure . . . I can spread the word." Chester had to think fast. 'Maybe Nightwing's got a reason acting all gangland on me. Maybe, he's undercover and doesn't want anyone to know.'
"You're such a sweetheart." Nightwing patted his cheek. 'This was going to get me what I needed. I take out the biggest crime lord and take over the game. I'll be able to take Gotham for the voice.'
Chester raced from the alley. 'That Nightwing character's crazy. He was usually with the Bat.' Chester wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Nightwing cracked a smile and went back to the roof tops. 'I need to lay low until BM gets his ass back into Gotham.'
Continue with Part 7
