This is the 18th chapter. I don't own the series of My Hero Academia or the Justice League.
BrianShooter672: To be honest, I don't know.
Return of Nightwing
A week has passed since the death of Bruce Wayne which it devastated everyone, including the Boondock Saints and the Justice League. The UA Sports Festival has restarted and Shoto Todoroki have won the event in 1st place, but the Pro Heroes and the civilians have heard of Batman's return ever since a week of absence because of Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Assassins murdered Bruce.
Shoto have taken a chance to head to the facility to meet up with his brother, Toya, and to make amends with his mother named Rei Todoroki. It also got him worried of Ethan since he hasn't heard from him a week ago, but learned from the media that he's returned and back in action as Batman. Shoto have done a lot of thinking of Toya's offer to take part of the Justice League, and for that, he accepted his offer and officially became the new member of the Justice League.
The Bat Family, Catwoman, Delta, and Sons of Batman Motorcycle Club have updated their suits and extended their training to get stronger in order to fight against the villains. Eri have extended her training in martial arts, gadgetry, weaponry, etc., she decided to wear her first Robin suit and help them patrolling the city and fight against the villains. Iwao and Tamao have moved in the Wayne Manor when they gathered their belongings and Ethan, James, Emily, and Lita were given them a helping hand by moving some things inside which it took a couple of hours. They're able to get their things inside which Iwao and Tamao are now having a new home along with a base.
However, the Sons of Batman Motorcycle Club remained at Gotham City to help Batwoman defend the city and to honor Bruce Wayne.
Now, both Iwao and Tamao were watching the TV inside of the living room while Ethan and Eri were about to join them when the media have given the news.
'It's just in, Hero Killer named Stain was attempted to attack Ingenium, but was thwarted by a some two unknown assailants. In other words, Ingenium has a description of the two unknown individuals.'
'The girl who wields a sword is known as Katana, I use to watch the news about her and her deeds when I was a kid. But the other, I wasn't too sure. All I can you is that he goes by the name of 'Ronin'.'
Ethan knew who Ingenium was, which happens to be Tenya's brother, Tensai. However, there was a phone ringing as Ethan grabs it and answered.
"Hello?" Ethan said.
"Ethan, I need you to meet up at the abandoned power plant. I already called Emily, James, and Lita to meet up earlier. There's something you need to see." Barbara informed him.
Ethan, Eri, Tamao, and Iwao are heading to the Batcave to suit up and meet up the Gordon family and Lita at the abandoned power plant.
At the abandoned power plant, Batman, Robin, and Delta have arrived and meet up with the rest of the Bat Family and Catwoman. Both Eraser Head and Edgeshot noticed them as they approaches the three.
"It's good to have you back in the action, Batman." Edgeshot said. "And we're sorry for what happened to Bruce."
Batman replied with a nod when he turns to Barbara.
"Commissioner, what's the situation?" Batman asks.
Barbara turns to look at the Bat Family, Delta, Catwoman, Edgeshot, and Eraser Head before leading them into the old abandoned power plant. As they entered, they notice that the walls were all covered in question marks which it got the Bat Family and Catwoman shocked.
"No...this can't be possible!" Batman muttered in dread.
"No way! Riddler's back?!" Red Robin exclaims in disbelief. "How can that be?!"
"Um, what are we looking?" Eraser Head asks. "Everything is covered in question marks."
"That's what I thought also, but it does fit his MO." Barbara points out.
"But Riddler has been dead for years." Catwoman states. "He must've kept himself hidden for god knows how long."
"Wait, who's this 'Riddler'? Was he one of those criminals?" Eraser Head asks, confused.
"Yeah, Riddler is..."
"Uhh...guys, you might wanna see this." Robin informed them.
They walked over to see what Robin is looking at, but only to see one of Riddler's signature puzzle boxes.
"Robin...get back." Batman warned her.
Robin nods as she backs away from the puzzle box. Batman picked up a box and opened it, then reading a clue.
"What does it say?" Edgeshot asks.
"It says, 'Riddle me this: I'm alive without breath and cold as death. I am never thirsty but always drinking, what am I?'" Batman told them, reading the clue.
"Great, it's a riddle." Red Robin groaned in annoyance.
They started to think, but Batman already knew the answer.
"Fish." Batman said, earned their attention. "The answer to that riddle is fish."
Just then, a projector turns on showing an old man named Edward Nigma, also known as, Riddler. Despite being in the 70s, he still wears a green hat with a question mark along with the green suit with a question mark patterns, carrying a cane.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Batman, Batgirl, Red Robin, Robin, and Catwoman. I'm glad to see that even 70 years later you're still around to solve my riddles." Riddler said with a sinister smirk.
"So, that's Riddler?" Eraser Head inquires with a glare.
"The one and only." Red Robin answered.
"No surprise that he's still alive after all these years." Catwoman adds with a glare. "Despite his lack of strength, he makes up for it with his head and riddles along with his sick methods that almost got the civilians killed back in Gotham City."
Both Edgeshot and Eraser Head couldn't help but scowl at Riddler, which they wanted more information about that riddling criminal.
"Nigma, what did you do?" Batman demands.
"I see you have grown soft...it's almost like you're a totally different Batman." Riddler said in disappointment.
"You're right, I'm not Bruce Wayne." Batman told him.
"Ah, so you're an imposter. Someone trying to live up to Batmans legacy." Riddler mocks. "Well I'll have you know, I won't allow this. So, instead of putting you through my normal riddles I have created my biggest riddle yet..."
"What does he mean by that?" Edgeshot questions with a growl.
"Like Catwoman said, he's using sick methods that almost got civilians killed in Gotham City. Bruce have thwarted his plans many times by solving riddles." Delta told them. "And looks like we're about to be in for a shitstorm."
Edgeshot and Eraser Head won't like what Riddler is planning as Batman spoke.
"Where is it?" Batman questions.
"It's right here..." Riddler answered with a sneer.
Just then, a TV turns on, showing Japan as the bombs start to go off all around the city. Most of the bombs were targeted as power plants and grocery stores. Basically, Riddler was targeting anything humans regularly used, such as stores power plants, purified drinking waters, etc. He basically turned Japan into a lawless country, a criminals paradise.
"Welcome to Zero Year, Batman!" Riddler said with a sinister smirk.
The TV shuts off along with the projector. The whole city was on fire, people were looting, and the Pro Heroes were being overwhelmed due to the rioters.
"Guys! This whole place is about to blow!" Batgirl warned them.
"We need to go now!" Robin adds.
And with that, the Bat Family, Catwoman, Delta, Edgeshot, and Eraser Head escaped the old power plant just in a nick of time as it explodes. However, the damage has been done and the Zero Year has already begun. People were rioting cops and the Pro Heroes were being killed left and right due to the survival instincts of the civilians.
"Barbara, get back to the police station." Batman ordered. "Create a perimeter and hold out until the situation is over."
Barbara nods as she head towards the car to get to the police station.
"Edgeshot, Eraser Head, go help the Pro Heroes." Batman said. "Knock out the civilians and save them what you can!"
Edgeshot and Eraser Head replied with a nod as they head out.
"The rest of you, with me!" Batman said as he turns on a communicator. "Uncle Iwao, I need you to pull up the bombing location!"
"I've already did and it's pretty bad! Riddler has bombed all over in Japan to have a block out along with a purification plants. He's taking us back to the Stone Age!" Iwao informed them.
"Damn! He just turned Japan into a state of anarchy!" Delta growled in anger. "We need to stop him."
"But we have no idea where he's hiding." Red Robin points out. "He could be anywhere."
"I think we should split up and find him." Catwoman suggested. "That way, we'll cover more grounds."
"She's right, but with the Pro Heroes defending themselves against the civilians and the Sons of Batman Motorcycle Club at Gotham City, we're have to find him and knock the civilians out." Batman agrees. "However, U.A. and the students might be in danger. We have to get to them before he does."
And with that, they're in their own vehicles as they spilt up to find Riddler and stop the Zero Year.
At the city, the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta were able to knock out the number of civilians while saving the Pro Heroes, but they're having no luck on finding Riddler. Both Batman and Robin are on their way to U.A. High to save the students from Riddler, but as they're speeding towards the school, someone fires an explosive round at the Batmobile, flipping it over and causing to slam the building.
"Ngh..." Batman groans in pain, turns to Robin. "Eri...are you okay?"
Robin doesn't respond as he feel for a pulse, only to sigh in relief because she's knocked out. Once he figured that out, he started working on getting out of the Batmobile by kicking the glass, but after he breaks the glass, he gathered what's left of his strength by pulling himself and Robin out of the vechile. After that, Batman placed her against the wall.
"How is this possible the Batmobile was made to withstand explosive rounds?" Batman questions himself.
As Batman thinks about it, a red dot appeared on Robin's chest. So, he quickly grabs her and pull her to safety before looking at where the shot was coming from. Someone was at the rooftop and they were opening fire at them.
"Shit!" Batman growled.
Batman put Robin in a safe spot so she can rest before going after the shooter. While the shooter starts to run, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, Batman fires his Batclaw at the building he's on and continued to give chase, but what shocks him is what the shooter he's wearing. He had a cowl, much like his own, and he even has a bat symbol on it. So, Batman grapple onto another building before jumping down and landing on the shooter. They both start to roll on the ground as they eventually come to a stop. Batman was the first one standing up, staring at the shooter. He was dressed like Batman, but...he had tone of guns on him.
They both look at each other, studying each others movements with no details left.
"Who are you?" Batman asks, breaking the silence.
"Your worst nightmare." The shooter snarled.
And with these words, they both charge at each other when Batman goes for a punch, only for the shooter to block it. He tries to knee him in the sternum, but Batman stops him before he can. The two of them kept exchanging blows, but only for the shooter to block the attack, it was like Batman was fighting himself. So, he decided to try a move that Bruce taught him as he quickly shift his focus to the shooters neck before delivering a quick jab to it, knocking the wind outta him. After that, Batman goes to deliver a roundhouse kick, but only for him to block it. Batman widen his eyes, knew that the only person who's able to block it was Bruce Wayne. Apparently, the shooter must've been a student of Bruce's at one point.
"The only person who's able to block was Bruce Wayne...but he's dead, who are you?" Batman asks when the shooter chuckled.
"Heh...look at you." The shooter said with a smirk. "Bruce would be proud ya know...you turned out to be his perfect successor isn't that right...Ethan?"
Batman's eyes widen when he knows who he's under the mask and there were only a few people know who he is under his cowl, but he doesn't allow it to stop him.
"You just made the biggest mistake of your life!" Batman growled.
And with that, Batman tackled him as they both started to free fall until they landed on the other rooftop. They grunted in pain as he tries to stand up, but before he can, Batman grabs him by the head and pull the cowl off.
"Oh God...no..." Batman muttered, completely stunned.
In front of Batman stood was none other than Dick Grayson, AKA Nightwing.
"Oh, what's wrong? It looks like you've seen a ghost." Dick mocks with a smirk.
"You're not Dick Grayson." Batman said in disbelief. "He's dead...Bruce buried the body!"
"Or did he? See that's the thing Ethan, death isn't permanent." Dick told him. "Riddler showed me that."
Batman widen his eyes, realized what happen. Riddler somehow secretly swapped Dicks body with the fake, but how is Dick alive and it clicked his mind.
"The Lazarus Pit!" Batman guessed.
"Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner." Dick said, clapping his hands slowly. "Since Ra's Al Ghul was captured, the remnants of the League of Assassins killed him and Talia was more than willing to let Riddler use the pits, which is how I came back."
"We don't need to fight, Dick." Batman said. "This isn't what Bruce want."
"Don't say his name! You don't know what Bruce wanted." Dick snarled. "And now here you are, an imposter wearing his cowl and using his symbol! It should've been me, not you!"
"So, this is what's all about, huh? You're pissed because Bruce made me Batman instead of you?" Batman remarked with a scowl. "Let me tell you something, you were gone! Bruce made his choice and I think it was the right one."
"I'm giving you one chance, remove that symbol." Dick warned him with a glare. "Stop being Batman..."
"And what? Let you take over." Batman said, refuses. "Look at yourself Dick, you lost the right to call yourself Batman when you started using guns! You're nothing but a criminal!"
"I'm what this city needs!" Dick retorted. "Now give me that suit!"
"You want this suit? You can have it when you pry it off of my dead body!" Batman said, readied his fighting stance.
And with those words, the battle continues. Batman block a punch from Dick before countering by kneeing him to the gut, causing him to stumble back before drawing 2 pistols as he starts to open fire, causing the Dark Knight to duck and roll out of the way. Dick takes his chances to tackle him to the ground as he draws out his knife and stabs him right in the shoulder, causing Batman to grunt in pain. Dick goes to try and stab again, but only for Batman to grab him in the arm and break it. Dick grunts in pain as Batman follow up his counter attack with a hard headbutt to the nose, causing it to bleed. After that, he deliver a hard kick to the jaw, getting him off of the Dark Knight.
"Ngh...Look at you Grayson! You're trying to kill me!" Batman grunts, pulls himself up. "Is this what Bruce would've wanted?!"
"SHUT UP!" Dick yelled.
Dick charges at Batman, knocking him back to the ground. He follows it up by stabbing him to the sternum, causing Batman to grunt as he lay there, exhausted from the fight.
"Heh! You were never worthy of his legacy!" Dick taunts. "I'm the one true Batman! You're an imposter!"
And just as Dick was about to bring his knife down into the chest, Robin jumps in throwing a batarang at the knife, knocking it out of Dicks hands.
"No, you're wrong!" Robin shouts. "Ethan has done so much for us. So if anything, you're an imposter!"
She quickly helps Batman up as they both look at Dick Grayson, but the Dark Knight is in pain which he'll have to suck it up deal with it since they had to finish the fight.
"Tch, look at you...another Robin, huh?" Dick said in annoyance. "Well, I guess I'll have to finish her just like the Joker finished me!"
Dick charges at them while both Batman and Robin does the same. Robin kicks Dick hard in the jaw while Batman punches him right in the gut, causing him to cough blood out of his mouth. After that Robin hit Dick right in the sternum with her staff before kicking him hard in his shin, Batman follow this up with 2 hard punches in the jaw. Batman and Robin just keep tag teaming Dick, hitting him over and over. Eventually, Robin does a front flip, landing behind him as Batman delivered a hard kick to the gut while Robin finishes the fight with a hard kick to the head, knocking Dick out.
Blood was dripping from his shoulder and from his nose as Batman looks down at the bloodied and beaten Dick Grayson.
"Help me get him back to the Batcave." Batman said.
Robin nods as she helps him tie Dick up, taken him back to the Batcave and lock him up inside of the cell. They need to work together to restore Dick's memory which it's gonna be a long road, but Batman was willing to take that risk.
At the Batcave, Dick Grayson was locked up inside of the cell. Ethan and Eri gives the Gordon siblings, Lita, Tamao, Aizawa, Nezu, Toshinori, and Iwao an explanation of how Dick was alive after he was killed by Joker years ago, told them that Edward Nigma managed to swap Dicks body with the fake and using the Lazarus Pit to bring him back from the dead. It got them astonished of the explanation, but they felt disgusted of Riddler's actions.
Aizawa told them the Pro Heroes were able to knock some senses into the civilians and saving the other Pro Heroes. So far, neither of them has any luck of finding Riddler.
Ethan was stitching up his wounds while Lita and Eri were on the Bat Computer, typing up a report about the current situation.
"Looks like Dick has done a number on you." James states.
"Well, what did you expect? He was one of the original Robins and grew up as Nightwing." Emily points out. "Ethan puts up a hell of a fight. Even Eri, helped him out."
'Guess Ethan was lucky with Eri around to end this fight. Still, we need to find this Riddler character and stop him.' Toshinori mentally thought.
"What's his condition?" Ethan asks.
"Graysons condition seems to be stable." Lita explains. "It turns out that Riddler used the mixture of Scarecrows Fear Toxins along with the Lazarus Pit to make Dick a perfect errand boy."
"Talk about a bad combo." James states, crossed his arms.
"That brings us to our question, who is this Riddler?" Nezu questions. "Aizawa and Edgeshot have informed me of the question marks and that box inside of the old power plant."
"Edward Nigma, is also known as Riddler, because of his gimmick of crimes and given riddles and clues to the law enforcement, especially Bruce." Ethan explains when the computer shows the image of Edward Nigma. "Riddles are his obsession to prove that he's smarter than others, and because of his many felony's, he became the patient in Arkham Asylum."
"Smarter? He's more like a scumbag and a psychopath." Aizawa points out in annoyance. "And that 'Zero Year' he called it proves it."
"But how did he get to become a criminal in the first place?" Nezu asks.
"Edward was born into a broken home after his parents got divorced decades ago and his father abused him. Edward was practiced the puzzles until he could solve it for contest at school. He mastered the puzzles, mind games, and riddles after he won the contest, but his father attributed his success to cheating, which comes to breaking point where Edward developed a compulsion and where his obsession of riddles comes from." Lita told them.
Aizawa, Toshinori, and Nezu couldn't help but feel disgusted of Edward's abusive father and why he became a criminal.
"After he got older, Edward left his home and became a carnival performer, using his skills to cheat for the money." Ethan continued. "But it's not enough for him, he became as Riddler and picking Bruce Wayne as an adversary."
"He's mad!" Iwao snarled in anger.
"And it gets worse, Nigma uses his methods to turn the puzzles and riddles into death-traps and using the civilians as bait for Bruce to solve." Emily told them. "That happens back at Gotham City decades ago and Bruce Wayne was able to solve many riddles and puzzles to save lives and thwarted Riddlers plans many times."
Iwao, Tamao, Nezu, Toshinoari, and Aizawa are now beginning to understand of Edward's background and why he became as a villain known as Riddler.
"I'll start working on the antidote." Ethan suggested, grabbing the crutches and about to make the antidote.
"No, you need to rest." Eri protests, got off of the chair and stops Ethan. "We're gonna need Batman to stop the Riddler. And you can't do that with the wounds Dick gave you."
"Bruce had worse injuries, Eri and he pushed through them with ease." Ethan argued. "I have to be ready to do the same."
However, Eri and Lita stops Ethan as they gently pushes him back down into the chair.
"No, you're not going to destroy your body like Bruce did." Eri said. "I won't allow it."
"Bruce may have push through them without any problems, but you're not him, love." Lita adds with a glare. "You need to rest."
"They're right, you need to think rational about this." Aizawa suggests. "While it's true that Mr. Wayne have been through much pain and became the Worlds Greatest Detective, but his body takes it's toll on him and his condition was worse over the past decades. Think this through, Ethan, do you really want to end up like Bruce?"
Ethan couldn't help but growled because he knew they're right. Ethan would get himself killed if he tried to go out there right now.
"Fine...you win." Ethan said in defeat. "But that doesn't mean I can't start working on Dick's mind back."
They sighed before Eri and Lita heads back over to the Bat Computer while Ethan slowly making his way to the cell.
"He's stubborn, I'll give him that, but he'll get himself killed one of these days." Toshinori said with a sigh.
"I wonder where he gets it from?" Lita asks with a chuckle.
"He got that from me and Bruce." Iwao states with a smirk.
"Don't encourage him." Aizawa groans in annoyance, but decided to change the subject. "Anyway, what can you tell us about Dick Grayson."
The Gordon siblings and Lita couldn't help but gave them a sad expression when Aizawa asks something sensitive.
"Oh...sorry..." Aizawa apologizes.
"It's fine, there's bound to happen anyway." Emily said, decided to tell them. "Dick Grayson is the first Robin before he became as Nightwing in the Bat Family."
"I see, he's one of the original members of the Bat Family." Nezu states.
"Yeah, but he became one of the acrobat performer at the circus when he was 12, the youngest member of the Flying Graysons of the Haley Circus." James told them, leaving them shocked. "But his act falls short when the crime-lord, Tony Zucco, threatened them for the extortion money. The owner refused and Dick watched his family die when the high wire snapped, sending his family hurtling to their deaths."
Nezu, Aizawa, Toshinori, Iwao, and Tamao was shocked of Dick's tragic background.
"Bruce was able to adopt him and took him under his wing. Though, Dick sneak out to solve the crime on his own, but only to stumble upon Bruce." Emily said. "Dick returned to the circus and was confronted by Eddie Skewers, but Bruce saved him. They're able to reveal of Tony's complicity, but he supposedly died of heart attack before his arrest."
"After that, Bruce offered him a chance of a lifetime to become a crime-fighter. Dick accepts and became at Robin." Lita adds. "After the years, Dick grew older at the age of 19, but he was shot in the shoulder by Joker and this prompted Batman to end his sidekick career for good and started his own crime-fighting career and a new identity as, Nightwing."
'For someone with a tragic background, Dick Grayson became a hero over the past decades and done so many heroic deeds.' Nezu mentally thought, impressed of Dick being a hero.
Meanwhile, Ethan made his way towards the cell to meet up Dick Grayson.
"What are you doing here?" Dick asks with a glare.
Ethan didn't answer as he sits down in front of Dicks cell and takes out 2 sandwiches. He gives one to Dick and he takes it with a skeptical look.
"What is this? Poison?" Dick questions.
"No, it's just a sandwich." Ethan answered.
Ethan took a bite out of his sandwich while Dick does the same as they both sit there in silent.
'This is gonna be harder than I thought.' Ethan mentally thought as he breaks the silence. "You really don't remember me, do you?"
"I know of you...you're the 2nd Batman." Dick answered. "That's what Riddler told me at least."
"Well, he's not wrong about that..."
"I should be wearing that symbol." Dick interrupts. "You know that, right?"
"No." Ethan answered bluntly. "Normally, I would agree with you, but for once you're wrong."
"Oh? And why is that?" Dick questions.
"Because Bruce cares about you." Ethan told him.
"So?" Dick scoffs.
"Bruce wanted you alive. He wanted you to make your own legacy as Nightwing, not as Batman." Ethan explains. "The reason I'm Batman is because I'm expandable, you're not."
"What do you mean?" Dick asks curiously.
"There's only one Dick Grayson and that's you." Ethan points out. "He told me about you, the first Robin and eventually you became your own hero. You became Nightwing."
"Okay, but that doesn't change the fact that Bruce chose you over me." Dick argued.
"You weren't there, Dick." Ethan remarked. "I'm sure if you're alive when Bruce found me, he would've made you Batman and me into Robin."
Dick Grayson widen his eyes, realizes the reason why Bruce chose Ethan. There was only ever going to be one Nightwing, and only one person could fill that role was Dick Grayson. But Batman could be anyone. Batman was the dream of a broken boy who lost his parents in Gotham City, and Ethan have filled in Bruce's shoes when he lost his parents in Musutafu City.
"He chose you...because you're exactly like him." Dick states.
"What do you mean?" Ethan asks, confused. "I'm not exactly like him."
"There's no point in denying it." Dick said. "Bruce chose you because he knew that I already had a legacy as Nightwing. He chose you because he saw himself in you."
"So, you're saying he chose me because he saw himself in me...he chose me because he wanted me to become obsessed with doing things his way?" Ethan questions, causing Dick to chuckle.
"No, you're missing the point, Ethan." Dick shook his head. "Bruce chose you because you had a lot in common sure, but he also saw that you both were very different from one another. I mean, look at what you've done since taking up the cowl. You helped form a new Bat Family, you turned Eri into Robin. Bruce wouldn't have done any of that, he would've insisted on doing his crusade alone."
Ethan listen to Dick closely which he seemed to know Bruce a lot better than him.
"Bruce picked you up because he saw himself in you." Dick continued. "But he also saw how kind and how caring you are towards others. Bruce Wayne didn't choose you because you were exactly like him, he chose you because you saw the good in everyone. Think about Bruce's 'no kill' rule, you still haven't broken that yet. He did...when he last me, Damien, Jason, and Tim. Any sane man would."
"So, Bruce chose me because he saw himself in me, but he also saw that I would uphold the Batman core values?" Ethan questions, realizing what Dick is telling him.
"Correct." Dick nods.
"Huh...Well, maybe he's wrong?" Ethan inquires.
"Trust me, kid, Bruce is never wrong. Well, sometimes he is, but it's rare." Dick said with a chuckle, causing Ethan chuckle a bit.
Meanwhile, the antidote for the Fear Toxin that Ethan forgot to make was being pumped into the cell, but he's just sitting down with Dick and talking to him must have snapped him out of it. And luckily, both Ethan and Dick were having a huge debate on why Bruce chose him when Eri and Emily went ahead and whipped up the antidote.
"Alright, you good right?" Ethan asks. "You're not gonna try and murder me again?"
"No, you can let me out, Ethan." Dick said with a chuckle.
Ethan slowly nodded as he lets him out, but just as they're about to hug out, the Bat Computer goes off, showing them that U.A. High is under attack by Riddler and his men.
"Nigma is making his move." James told them.
"We can hug after the mission is done." Ethan suggested.
"You're still too hurt to go out, Ethan!" Dick warned him.
"I'll push through it." Ethan told him.
It got them sighed since there's no way out of it as they suit up while Toshinori and Aizawa left the Batcave to help the Pro Heroes and Nezu stayed behind. Dick puts on his old Nightwing suit on as they head out to save the Pro Heroes and end the Zero Year.
As they arrived at U.A. High, they can see that it's smoking and the students were being killed one by one. Both Ochaco and Izuku were together and they're trying to fight off against to fight off as many robots as they can. But one of the robots slams Ochaco into the ground while the other punches Izuku hard in the gut.
"I think it's time we put those robots in there place." Batman suggested.
"Let's do it." Nightwing said with a smirk.
And with that, the Bat Family, Delta, and Catwoman charge into battle. They ran towards the robots that are about to kill Izuku and Ochaco, but with their quick reflexes, Batman, Batgirl, and Red Robin threw their batarangs right through one of robots head, causing it to shut down. Robin stabs the other robot right through the chest with her staff while Delta fired her Coharie Arms CA-415 right through the head. Catwoman strangles the third robot with her whip while Nightwing short circuits that third robot with his escrima sticks. Izuku and Ochaco looked at them in shock as Batman slowly walk over them. Nightwing helps Izuku as Batman hold his hand to Ochaco.
"It's ok...you're safe now." Batman assures her.
"Ethan?" Ochaco said.
Batman nods as he helps Ochaco up, but some robots start to open fire on them which there's not enough time to move as he use himself as a body shield to protect her. Luckily for him, he updated the fibers of his suit, making it bulletproof, but it still hurting him. The Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta quickly take out the robots. Batman slowly let Ochaco go, but not after making sure that she wasn't hurt.
"You...you saved us...you saved me." Ochaco said as Batman nods and was about to walk off when she grabs his hand. "Wait...I'm coming with you!"
"No, you're not." Batman said. "This isn't the League of Villains, this man is a crazy sociopath who won't hesitate to kill you."
"Hey, we dealt with them before." Izuku argued. "Let us help you, Batman."
"I don't give a damn what you've dealt with, I'm not gonna put more innocent lives in danger!" Batman argued back.
Ochacho then turns to the Bat Family, Delta, Catwoman, and Eri who's the new Robin.
"You have those 6. And Robin looks younger than us." Ochaco points out.
"Maybe so, but she easily break all of your bones." Catwoman told her.
"You heard what Bats said, go home." Nightwing suggested seriously.
"I'm not going anywhere without me-"
Before Ochaco finished her sentence, Delta fired her Desert Eagle Mark XIX right in the ground next to Ochaco and Izuku.
"We're asking, we're telling you!" Delta warned them. "The first one was a warning shot. If neither of you two want bullets in your head, then I suggest you get your asses out of here and go home!"
Izuku and Ochaco can tell that they're being serious about them going home and not getting themselves killed. And with no other options, both Izuku and Ochaco left U.A. High while the Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta were making their way into U.A. High.
Once they're inside, they notice something which makes his skin crawl...it was a trophy of some sort, but it had a question mark. Riddler appears on a monitor as he starts to address them.
"Ahhh, if it isn't the Dark Knight himself." Riddler taunts with a smirk. "I see you found my little gift, huh?"
"Shut it, Riddler!" Nightwing snapped. "We're here to stop Zero Year."
"Oh Boy Wonder, I didn't miss you at all." Riddler said. "You see that trophy right there? I have 18 of them hidden around the school it was originally gonna be 20 of them, but you already saved 2 students of Class 1-A, however, each trophy is a bomb. You have only 8 minutes to save the remaining students of between Class 1-A. Oh and don't worry about Class 1-B, I'm saving them for another project...Good luck Detective."
The screen turns off and a timer starts as Batman looks at his team.
"We need to move now!" Batman informed them. "Split up and save the students now!"
The Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta nods as they run off down their own respective hallways. Batman run through the main halls, looking for the students and managed to find Bakugo and Mina. He cuts the wires for the bomb. The Bat Family, Catwoman, and Delta were are off, looking for the other students. Batman started looking for the rest of the students, but what he did find was Tenya beaten and bloodied and Riddler was standing there with a knife on his throat.
"Heh, look at you...You're nothing like the first Batman." Riddler mocks with a sinister smirk. "And now because of your incompetent actions, I will kill this boy!"
Riddler goes to bring the knife down on Tenya's neck, but before he can, Batman fired his grappling hook into his arm before pulling him into the Dark Knight.
"No! Get away from me!" Riddler said in fear as Batman picked him up and throw him into the wall.
"You tried to kill an innocent kid...I want to know why?!" Batman growled with a brooding glare.
"Oh Batman, why would I give up that information?" Riddler mocks with a question.
Batman grabs his arm and with one swift motion, he breaks it.
"I see your mouth is still moving! Who put you into this?!" Batman interrogates him.
"Heh...the Court of Owls wanted me to test you...and they're coming." Riddler weakly explains. "This wasn't just my plan, Batman...I want you to be ready...because Zero Year is just the beginning, monsters are coming...and they're all coming for your head..."
"Let them, I'll stop them." Batman said.
"Whatever, I'm sure your friends have disarmed the other trophies too?" Riddler said as Batman knocks him out by punching him in the jaw.
After the students at U.A. High are save, Batman and his team take Riddler in. However, the thought lingers Batman as to: What was Nigma saying? Who are the Court of Owls and why are they coming to Japan?
That's it for the 18th chapter.