Night of Nightwing
The Batman had died. While no one in Gotham City knew that Bruce Wayne had been their savior for decades, a deep sadness had taken the city like a flood in a desert. Terry McGinnis, Bruce's successor, had invited every surviving friend and relative of Bruce to Wayne Manor for the wake. He swept his long hair behind him before receiving a hug from longtime friend, Max, the only girl from high school who knew the secret he and Bruce shared.
"I'm sorry, Terry", said Max. "Thank you, Max", said Terry, "Honestly, I'm just happy you and the others managed to make it." "I suppose I should thank you for the invite", said a voice. Terry turned to see an old man with long, white hair and a walking stick with a silver hawk's head. "Pleased to see you again, Terry", said the man. "Glad you could make it, Dick", said Terry, "I know you and Bruce had your misgivings, but I can't thank you enough for being here". Dick Grayson chuckled. "I think you and Barbara are hanging out too much", he smiled, "Yeah, Bruce and I disagreed on a lot, but overall, we were as thick as thieves. There is a reason I kept coming back to him after all. Even after all we've been through, I still trusted him with my life. Actually, that reminds me of a story. It all began after the Mystery of the Batwoman…"
August 15th, 2003:
Having put an end to Rupert Thorne and the Penguin's smuggling operation, Batman picked up the next case that landed at his proverbial door. He raced to the top of the GCPD building to speak with Commissioner Gordon as the Bat Signal shone brightly in the sky. "So here's the rundown", said Commissioner Gordon, "Two businesses were hit by arson in the last two hours". "Meaning Two-Face and Firefly are involved", said Batman, "Anything the victims had in common?" "We know they were partners with two other businesses in Bludhaven", said Commissioner Gordon, "They were also involved in that all-girl fighting ring Wonder Woman and Vixen got involved in." "Any sign of Two-Face and Firefly's whereabouts?", asked Batman. "At about 2:10 earlier today, Detective Montoya caught sight of Garfield Lynns making a break for an outbound train to Bludhaven", said Commissioner Gordon, "Knowing Harvey, he's half-way there". Commissioner Gordon turned to find that Batman was already gone. "He still needs to teach me how to do that", he sighed.
Batman raced through the countryside in the Batmobile, his face carving a determined expression. He pushed a button on his dashboard. "Hello?", came a voice over the radio. "I'm coming over", said Batman. "Finally, a little quality time together", said Dick. "It's Two-Face and Firefly", said Batman, "I'm sending all relevant information". "Well, at least I get to...wait a minute", said Dick, "Were these the only businesses wrecked in Gotham?" "Yes, why?", asked Batman. "One of them is near a boarding school in the city", said Dick, "How fast can you get here?" "Already nearing city limits", said Batman as the Batmobile passed a sign that said: "BLUDHAVEN 15 MILES".
At a warehouse near the boarding school, Firefly flew on his jet-pack and readied his flamethrower! "This will be a real blast', he said as he began shooting fire at canisters of gasoline! Suddenly, a white mist exploded and put out the flames! Then, a batarang flew through the air and cut the tube connect the flamethrower to the gas needed to power it! Batman leaped over and kicked Firefly to the ground! "I don't need a flamethrower to kill you", said Firefly as he pulled out a grenade! But then, Firefly was hit in the side of the head by a shuriken shaped like a hawk! Then, Nightwing glided over and kicked Firefly into a wall! "Sorry, just had to drop in", he said. Firefly growled before pulling out his flaming sword! Nightwing smirked before pulling out his escrima sticks. Firefly swung forward, only for Nightwing to block the attack and hit him in the face! Then, he leaped up and kicked Firefly, knocking him back! Batman then ran forward and punched Firefly in the stomach! He then punched Firefly in the face, only for the pyromaniac to chuck two grenades down at the gas canisters and fly off! The gas ignited a massive explosion!
"Help the people below", said Nightwing as he grabbed a fire extinguisher. He began putting out the flames as Batman kicked down a door to let the workers out. "Get outside", Batman said as he ushered everyone out of the building. Nightwing kept shooting the fire extinguisher until it ran out! "These budget cuts are getting out of hand", he said as he pulled his freeze capsules. The flames were extinguished by the time everyone got out of the building. "Why didn't we stop him back there?", asked Nightwing. "We need to know why Two-Face is doing this", said Batman, "To do that, I placed a tracer on Firefly during the fight." "So where's he headed?", asked Nightwing. "Not sure", said Batman, "I'm unfamiliar with the streets of Bludhaven. You're taking point on this one, Nightwing". He tossed Nightwing the tracker. "Does this mean I get to drive the Batmobile?", Nightwing asked. "Don't push your luck", said Batman.
A few hours later, Firefly arrived at the safe house, where Two-Face was waiting. "Well, is it done?", he asked. "Batman and Nightwing stopped me before the place could go up in smoke", said Firefly, "We'll have to try again tomorrow". "Idiot!", Two-Face growled as he throttled Firefly, "Our employer wants results tonight. You don't want to make me use this". He pulled out a silver dollar from his pocket. "Two-Face, please", begged Firefly, "I'm sorry". "You get a fifty-fifty chance", said Two-Face before flipping the coin. Firefly's eyes didn't leave the silver dollar as it flipped through the air before landing in his boss's hand. "Heads", smirked Two-Face, "You got off lightly tonight". Just then, there came a mighty crash as Batman burst through the door! Two-Face grabbed his Tommy gun and fired, forcing Batman to duck behind a couch! Then, Nightwing crashed through the window and punched out Firefly! He then threw a shuriken, blocking the gun barrel! Two-Face hit him in the shoulder with the butt of his Tommy gun, only for Batman to put him in a chokehold! "Give it up, Harvey", said Nightwing, "Your whole operation is toast!" "Don't count on it", said Two-Face, "Firefly's bombings were just the beginning". "Tell us everything you know Harvey", snarled Batman. "Not happening", said Two-Face as Nightwing picked up his coin.
"How about we flip for it?", he said, "Heads, you give up all information. Tails, you say nothing and we figure it out for ourselves". Two-Face snorted. "You got yourself a deal". Nightwing flipped the coin, watching it spin in the air before it landed on heads. "Impressive", said Two-Face as Batman slapped the cuffs on him, "I was hired by another man with two faces. He wanted Firefly and I to bust up some buildings owned by business rivals of Roland Daggat. Guess after that fight club business, he figured it was time to stage a comeback, though how he's supposed to get even a small business loan after what he tried doing in Crime Alley is beyond me at the moment. Not even the mob banks would help him out". "Is Daggat in Bludhaven?", Batman asked. "He's holed up in Morrison Tower", said Two-Face, "He's meeting with the other guy tonight". Batman turned to Nightwing, only to find him gone.
The Batmobile raced through the streets as Batman called Nightwing. "You're thinking it, too", said Nightwing. "Deathstroke", said Batman. "Yep", said Nightwing, "The Titans and I had some run-ins with him before, and if my hunch is correct, Daggat could be in real trouble. Meet me at these coordinates". The numbers flashed onto the Batmobile's LCD screen as Batman's glare intensified.
At Morrison Tower, Nightwing fired his grappling hook and swung up to the penthouse. He opened the skylight and slid down a rope to get in. There, he found Roland Daggat, dead from a single stab wound in the chest. "They failed to pay the Piper", said a sinister voice, "They still paid the price" Nightwing armed himself with his escrima sticks as Deathstroke, a man wearing black and orange armor and a mask with only one eye hole, stepped out of the darkness. "At least I can take care of you personally", said Deathstroke as he pulled out his sword. Then, he charged! Nightwing blocked his sword strikes with his escrima sticks before kicking him in the stomach! He leaped over another sword strike before throwing one of the escrima sticks, hitting Deathstroke in the head! He blocked a sword strike from Deathstroke before punching him in the stomach! "Your old tricks won't save you this time", Deathstroke said as he sliced Nightwing's escrima stick in half! Then, he kicked him out through the glass doors to the balcony! Nightwing then chucked a freeze capsule at him, but Deathstroke dodged the attack! "Theatricality and deception", Deathstroke said, "Powerful agents to the uninitiated, but not me". "I know", said Nightwing, "That's why I'm leaving you to him".
Just then, Batman ran in and punched Deathstroke in the face! He blocked his sword strikes with his gauntlets before punching him in the face and kicking the back of his knee! But then, Deathstroke swept out Batman's legs, knocking him over! Before he could use his sword, Nightwing threw a shuriken that knocked it out of the hands of Deathstroke! He then leaped forward and kicked Deathstroke! The mercenary punched Nightwing and kicked him away, only for Batman to pick him up and slam him onto the ground! Deathstroke kicked Batman away, only for Nightwing to karate chop him on the neck! Batman then punched Deathstroke in the stomach before headbutting him! He then kicked Deathstroke in the face, giving Nightwing enough time to punch the villain, knocking him out!
Later on, after the villains had been arrested and sent back to Gotham, Nightwing and Batman stood atop a parking garage near the river. "Why did you let me take the lead this time?", asked Nightwing, "I thought you knew the area like the back of your hand". "I do, but I figured I'd see how you'd handle an easy case like this one", said Batman as he sipped his coffee, "As usual, you've surpassed my expectations. This city is lucky to have you protecting it". "Any chance you'll stick around, then?", asked Nightwing. "Bruce Wayne has some business to handle in Bludhaven", said Batman, "If there's time, and there will be, he and Dick Grayson can break for lunch". "I know a swell burger joint", said Nightwing. "I look forward to it already", said Batman with the subtlest hint of a smile. As he stepped into the Batmobile, fond memories of his time with Robin replayed in his head, along with last night's battle with Deathstroke. "What can I say?", he said to himself, "He's his father's son".
The Funeral
Dick chuckled a little. "Yeah, we had our ups and downs", he said, "But Bruce...well, a son never forgets his father, right?" "No, he doesn't", said Terry. Dick struggled up and put a hand on Terry's shoulder. "Whatever we thought of each other", said Dick, "He and I both know you're the most worthy person to take after being Batman. Don't let his loss take that away from you. Oh, and say hi to Dana for me." "Will do", said Terry as Dick walked down the hall. He took in the sight of photos of himself and Bruce, along with Tim, Barbara, Alfred, and the others. He smiled, remembering the good times much better than the bad. "See you soon, Bruce", Dick said quietly. He noticed a woman out of the corner of his eye, but when he turned to her, she was gone. He wondered if maybe it was Montoya, but she didn't seem like the type to be here. "Odd", he said.
To Be Continued...