Be Greater
The cold winter night was unkind to Bludhaven. Winds howled. Rain poured mercilessly down from the sky like little needles. Thunder clapped and lightning crackled. A poor woman ran down the street. A bag of groceries in one hand and a flimsy newspaper in the other barely covering her head from the incessant rain. She tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and stumbled forward. Her groceries were saved and intact, but the newspaper was gone with the wind. A shadowy figured appeared beside her in the alley.
"You look cold, little thing. Why don't you come here where it's nice and warm," croaked the figure.
"Huh? No. NO!"
Without warning, he grabbed the woman's arm and dragged her into the alley. She dropped the groceries spilling the milk and pasta sauce. The figure tightly held her in a headlock gradually squeezing more and more.
"There there," he whispered, "We both need each other this stormy night. I'll talk soft so you'll feel safe."
"Please! Please don't!" she cried.
Smirking and cackling, the figure brandished a knife in his free hand. Before he could do anything, another dark hand grabbed the man's wrist and pulled him into the dark alley allowing the woman to escape from the grip and fall down.
"Ahhh what the," the figure cried, "Who are you supposed to….."
*POW POW POW*
The woman couldn't see very clearly in the dark. It looked like someone was punching her assailant's face, but she wasn't exactly sure who. When the beating stopped, the newly arrived figure stood up and approached the woman. Flinching, she was terrified that she just traded in one mugger for the next. She was about to make a break for it when he reached into what looked like a belt. Closing her eyes, she braced for some sort of impact. It never came. Opening her eyes, she saw an outstretched hand with what looked like two hundred dollars in cash.
Thunder continued to crackle as the rain pitter-pattered all over the taxi's windshield. The driver sat in his seat doing a crossword puzzle. Patiently he was waiting for customers, but he'd be lucky to see even a dog out late in this storm. Well tonight must have been his lucky night because his back seat door was quickly opened. A woman in a white wig and skimpy pink dress was shoved in the back seat. Her face and arms littered with bruises. Joining her was an extravagantly dressed man. He had on a white pinstripe suit, matching white fedora, and a big fluffy fur coat.
"Get yo ass in the car," the fancy man ordered as he shoved her deeper into the seat.
"Please Silk! Not the face! I can't make you money without my face!" the woman begged.
"You're killing me, Joanie! You're messin with my livelihood. It's not like you ain't getting picked up? I see you riding around with different guys throughout the night. Thing is though, they ain't paying you like they should."
"Hey man," the driver interrupted, "Take this somewhere else. I just had the seats cleaned."
Annoyed, "Silk" just handed the driver a giant wad of cash probably worth a few thousand. The driver graciously accepted the cash and began counting the bills.
"Dog eat dog world I guess," he quipped.
"I take good care of you, don't I, Joanie? I protect you. And this is how you show your gratitude? By bleeding money from my business?"
"Please! Not everyone can pay. People are struggling too!"
Before Silk could answer, a loud thud landed atop the taxi.
"What the hell was that?" asked the driver.
"Something's on the roof. Some punk think they gonna mess with me?" Silk declared.
He rolled down the window and pulled out a large pistol. He pointed the gun out the window scanning for any intruders. Suddenly, a gloved hand grasped Silk's wrist and abruptly pulled him out of the taxi through the open window.
*POW POW POW*
The streetlight flickered marring the scene in front of Joanie and the driver. Both were too stunned to move or even react. At one final flicker, all that was left was an unconscious Silk lying on the sidewalk. Then, someone knocked at the driver seat window. He rolled down the glass to look up at the dark figure. His dark hand reached in and grabbed the wad of cash the driver had been counting. The figure then opened the backseat door and helped Joanie out of the car.
"W-what are you?" she asked terrified.
The figure didn't answer. Instead, the figure placed the wad of cash in her hands and then disappeared into the rainy night.
The rain sizzled as it hit the hot neon arcade sign. Two unfortunate high school students sprinted to get away from the rain. They found refuge under the arcade awning. However, one refused to take a single step forward.
"Carrie, I don't think this is a good idea. This place looks shady."
"Chillax, Michelle. We can cut through here and get home much quicker. You really want to be stuck out here in the rain any longer than we need to be?"
"But I heard gangs or whatever hang out here. This is too dangerous."
"Grow a backbone, Michelle! At least the lights are bright"
The lights were indeed not bright as the power to the arcade was cut. Dark fell upon the pair as they began to panic.
"Uhh Carrie?"
"Will you calm down! They'll come on in a sec."
"Chirp chirp chirp. Looks like we got ourselves some little lost chicks ay boys?"
From the dark corners of the arcade, three thugs emerged. They surrounded the two students, and each held a sinister grin on their faces.
"You chicks look a little lost. How's about we help you find your way?" one thug smugly said as he pulled out a knife.
The two other thugs grabbed the girls and covered their mouths to prevent screams.
"Now then," the knife wielding thug began, "Why don't we have some fun!"
Just as he raised his knife in the air, a pair of sharp shuriken-type objects flew in from nowhere. The blue weapons embedded themselves into the thug's arm causing him to drop the knife.
"ARGHH! My arm! My arm! Something's stuck in my arm!" he cried collapsing to the ground.
One of the remaining thugs pulled a gun from his back pocket.
"I got my nine! Anything moves, I start blasting."
He pointed the gun in various directions. When he turned to the arcade, a grapple shot out from the darkness and wrapped around his hand. With a strong tug, the thug let go of Michelle and was dragged into the darkness.
*POW POW POW*
The final thug, terrified, let go of Carrie and picked up the dropped gun. Shakily he pointed it in the general direction of the other thug. Thunder roared through the sky followed by faint flickers of lightning. It felt like each punch from the dark assailant was on beat with the thunder.
*POW CRACK POW CRACK POW CRACK*
The flickers of lightning barely showed a lean muscular figure knocking out the thug on the ground. Instinctively, the standing thug fired the weapon. With his shaky aim, he missed his target completely. The dark figured looked up and sprinted towards the remaining thug. The figure flipped into the air and chopped the gun out of the thug's hand. With a swift punch and sweep of the leg, he picked up the guy and threw him against the arcade wall knocking him out cold. The figure slowly walked past the two girls who just stood there in awe. The lights were still out so they couldn't make out his face. Oddly, the figure stopped and turned around to look at them. In a flash of lightning, Carrie could have sworn she saw a smirking face. But one lightning flash later, the figure was gone.
"Repeat all units, robbery in progress, Bludhaven City Trust!"
A 1967 Ford Mustang with a single police siren on top skidded across the flooded streets as it sped in the general direction of the Bludhaven City Trust. Four masked robbers emerged from the bank. One had a light machine gun and opened fire on the Mustang. The car swerved left and right but not without taking a few bullets in the chassis. The robbers then piled into an Audi A3 sedan and drove off with the Mustang on its tail. In the opposite direction, a wood-paneled station wagon pulled away.
"Hey Peralta, you see that other car? It just went the other way."
"Forget it, Diaz. We gotta focus on the robbers up ahead."
The Audi swerved with the Mustang close behind. The watery streets made every turn and lane change that much closer to a complete spin-out. Lightning lit up the skies as thunder continued to boom across the city.
"Damn he's fast! I'm in a Mustang for crying out loud!"
"Step on it, Peralta! We're losing them!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Diaz spotted something flying above the rooftops. The night provided cover preventing her from getting a clear view.
"What the hell is that?" she asked.
"Can't exactly look now Rosa! Kinda in the middle of a chase here!"
"Up there! It's some shadow. Is it…flying?" she pointed up to the rooftops.
"Rosa! Are you gonna tell me what's going on or…..HOLY!"
The figured jumped from the rooftop as the lightning behind him illuminated his silhouette. A clear black outline of a man could be seen flying from the rooftop descending down towards the escaping Audi. Smiling, Peralta eased up on the gas.
"Jake? You're slowing down?"
"Yea. We're in for a show tonight."
The figure opened his wings and glided towards the hood of the car. With a loud CLANG, he landed right in front of their windshield. The white eyes of his mask squinted as he glared at the robbers. One of them panicked and began firing his pistol at the windshield. The driver, shook by the sudden shooting, swerved uncontrollably. Not a single bullet hit the figure as the car drove off the highway bridge and into the construction site below. The figure jumped and glided away as the car tumbled and landed upside down. The four robbers struggled, but they all exited the vehicle and fled into the half-constructed building. Tired, they gathered at one of the upper levels of the building.
"What the hell was that?"
"I don't know, Gargan. He didn't look too friendly."
"Herman, was that one of them Bats from Gotham?"
"Not sure. I don't remember any of them wearing blue."
"Whoever he is, I'm gonna slice and dice him! He'll learn what cold steel feels like on flesh."
"Shut up Kletus! Jeez, O'hirn where'd you find this guy?"
"I dunno. I found him on the street. We needed a fourth after Marko went straight!"
"All of yous just shut up. I can't hear anything. Is he even out there?"
"Hey, don't stop the party on my account. I wanna know what happened to Marko!" a voice called out.
Terrified, all four men looked around searching for the voice.
"Come out wise guy! You scared or something?" shouted O'hirn.
"Oh, big guy, you don't remember me? There was a factory, I told you not to go around the corner, you didn't listen. Good times huh?"
Realization hit Herman and Gargan. O'hirn was a little slow on the uptake but he got there eventually. Kletus just didn't give a fuck.
"You!" Herman shouted, "You're the asshole who shut down all the Beary Bears!"
"Guilty as charged. Glad to have this reunion boys."
"Show yourself punk! We want a rematch!" Gargan screamed.
"Now where would be the fun in that? You've all got guns. That's your advantage."
"Oh yea! What's yours?!" O'hirn asked.
No answer was given. Instead, the thugs were left to wallow in the eerie silence. A slight creak could be heard from below them. Without hesitation, Kletus unloaded both of his pistols into the ground.
*BANG BANG BANG*
A sizable hole was formed underneath the crew going down at least three stories.
"Kletus! What was that for?"
"I heard him! He was down there! I'm sure of-WHOA"
Before he could finish his sentence, a grapple flew up from below, wrapped around Kletus's neck, and pulled him down.
"AHHHHHH!"
"Kletus?!" O'hirn shouted.
The three robbers looked down below only to find darkness. Shaking, Gargan stepped back. A fist busted through the floorboard underneath and grabbed Gargan's ankle.
"Huh? Oh no!"
With tremendous strength, the fist pulled Gargan right through the wood floor into the dark depths below.
"Forget this! Whoever this guy is, I don't ever want to mess with him!" O'hirn announced.
"O'hirn! You can't just leave!"
"Says you! I'm outta here. I'm going straight like Marko!"
The big guy proceeded to run down the steps and out the building. By this point, the detective mustang car arrived onto the scene shining its bright headlights right in front of the fleeing O'hirn.
"FREEZE BPD! PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!"
"I SURRENDER! I SURRENDER! I AIN'T DEALING WITH NO BLUE DEMON OR WHATEVER IN THERE!"
Cautiously, Detective Diaz approached O'hirn who was already kneeling with his hands up. Grabbing both his hands, she slapped handcuffs on him while her partner looked up at the building.
"Blue demon? That doesn't sound catchy. Ooo I wonder if he's got powers or not," Jake excitedly mused.
"Jake, why are you enjoying this?"
"Because Rosa! We've got a bonified superhero now! This is so cool!"
"Some dude in black jumping from rooftops does not equate to a superhero!"
"Oh yea? What does that make Batman?"
"….ok fine."
"Aha! So you admit we've got a superhero!"
"We don't have all the facts yet. I'm going in," Rosa said brandishing her pistol and flashlight.
"Uhhh I wouldn't do that Rosa. These supes really like for us to stay out of their way."
Ignoring her partner, Rosa continued into the broken-down building. In the meantime, Herman cautiously walked across the floor holding the light machine gun. At the sound of a creak, he turned around and unloaded a few dozen bullets into the wall.
"So, you're Herman. Or if I recall you prefer to be called Tex….or Montana. And yet, you're from Florida? How does that work?"
"W-what's it to ya," Herman stammered, "It's just a codename!"
"Yea but like, all three states are so far apart and barely have any relation to each other. Do you have fond memories in each state?"
"Now is not the time for a goddamn therapy session, freak!" he cried unloading more bullets all around.
"Herman! Herman! Please, we're basically friends now. Freak is a bit harsh."
"Don't think I forgot how you sucker-punched me asshole," he said turning around, "I remember what you said. Little Robin."
Behind him, the figure started to lean in a whisper.
"Actually, I go by N-"
"EVERYBODY FREEZE!" Rosa shouted as she shined a flashlight on both the figure and Herman.
"Oh shit, not now!" the figure cried as he dove towards Rosa pushing her out of Herman's line of fire.
Herman unloaded all that was left of the light machine gun into the drywall in front of him. With all the ammo spent, he tossed the gun away and pulled out a pistol. Slowly he walked forward checking every corner for the dark vigilante and that crazy cop. He stopped at a dark alcove looking into it. He wasn't completely sure if anyone was standing there. A roar of thunder and a flash of lightning brightly revealed a tall lean but muscularly toned figured facing him. In the blink of an eye, the figured tackled Herman to the ground.
*POW POW POW*
Finally getting her bearings, Detective Diaz got up and shined her flashlight on the dark mass in front of her. The light showed an armored figure was punching the robber's face knocking him out cold.
"Put your hands in the air now!" she ordered
The figure slowly got up. He turned around to reveal dark armored plating around his body. He had a silver belt at his wait and a bright blue bird emblem on his chest. The final touch was a domino mask hiding his identity.
"I said put your hands-"
"Diaz!"
Both persons looked over to see Peralta climbing up the steps.
"Diaz, put the gun down! He's being patient with you as is. Don't do anything stupid."
"We don't know who this is, Jake! He could be working for the bigger gang here. Or a rival gang."
"Rosa just trust me, please? I'm betting a thousand push-ups here."
Rosa glared at Jake for a bit before holstering your gun.
"You're betting our careers here," she grumbled dragging the unconscious body down the steps."
"So," Jake began facing the new vigilante, "I'm Detective Peralta. And you're….."
"Nightwing. I'm new in town."
"Nightwing! Coolcoolcoolcoolcool"
"Was there a second car at the bank?"
"Huh? Yea. Some old grandpa car. We didn't think much of it."
"Hmm, you weren't supposed to."
"What do you mean?"
"These guys were a decoy. I'm betting there's no cash in their car down there. Looks like we were both fooled."
"….dammit."
"I recognize you."
"You do?"
"Yea. You were one of the detectives with good leads on the HFS distribution system."
"Oh! Wait you knew that? How'd you know?"
Nightwing just shrugged.
"Either way, I want to thank you, Detective Peralta. Your intel helped me shut down all the Beary Bear fronts that week."
"That was YOU! Holy crap man, you're so awesome!"
"You're a good detective. What precinct are you from?"
"Bludhaven ninety-ninth. NINE NINE!"
"Heh. Hopefully there are more good cops like yourself," Nightwing chuckled
"Oh, for sure! I'm totally clean. Rosa down there super badass but also clean," Jake said turning around to point at Diaz, "we've got other great officers…..too?"
When Jake turned around, Nightwing was nowhere to be seen. Confused, he looked around wondering where the new hero could have disappeared to.
"Huh. So, he's one of those kinda heroes. Coolcoolcoolcool."
"This is Channel 4 News bringing you the latest here in our fair city of Bludhaven. Our top story tonight is the emergence of a new dark vigilante. Multiple citizens have reported a dark figure saving them from various crimes, muggings, attacks, and other heinous activities. Here are some of the most notable quotes from our citizens"
Emma (Single Mother): I was just walking home. I got groceries this late because I just got off work. This guy he grabbed me and pulled out a knife. Next thing I know, an angel came down from above. He rescued me and even gave me a few hundred to buy groceries again. My son and I are so grateful for you!
Danny (Taxi Driver): It was wild man. This pimp was about to cut up this girl in my taxi. Then BOOM the dude came down and beat the crap outta the guy. I couldn't believe it!
Michelle (High School Student): I-I mean we took a wrong path and got trapped by this gang. A-and well I guess this creature came out from the darkness a-and…..
Carrie (High School Student): Ugh news flash Michelle! It was definitely human. A guy I think. He was flipping and jumping and totally knocked the socks off those thugs. He looked like he was ten feet tall!
"Other witnesses have reported seeing this dark figure jump off rooftops and fly through the skyline of Bludhaven. Whoever this aerial avenger is, I for one am glad he's around to make our city a much safer place."
Zatanna said curled up on the bed under a blanket sipping some hot tea. Pocus tucked himself into his little bed and blissfully napped. Flipping through the channels, Zatanna kept coming across news report after news report about the new hero of Bludhaven.
"That's my Tiger," she smiled.
A door clicked as Dick exited bathroom after finishing his shower. He had a towel wrapped around his waist as he dried his hair with another.
"I don't know why you feel the need for modesty around me," she teased, "We're in the privacy of our own home! Besides, I've seen what you've got down there. And I like it…a lot" she said licking her lips.
"Hehe, force of habit I guess," Dick answered picking up a pair of shorts to put on before climbing into bed with his girlfriend.
"Looks like you're a big hit, Boy Wonder. How do you feel?"
"…Better than I have in a very long time."
Smiling, Zatanna put her tea on the end table, wrapped her arms around Dick's torso, and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, Birdy. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Zee. I feel….better. I feel like I can be something greater. Robin was just Batman's partner. But Nightwing? Nightwing I feel like can be a symbol. It can be everlasting. I feel….like I have purpose again."
"Good. Glad we've finally figured you out. Now, I want my payment."
"Payment?"
"Mmmhmm. Payment for helping you along this spiritual journey and acting as your voice of reason."
"Hmm I don't remember negotiating any terms or signing any contract."
"Oh darling, you definitely signed a contract," she teased holding up her ring.
"As I recall, that was more a declaration of intent if anything."
"Oh yea?" she asked in her sexy sultry tone while getting up to straddle him
Slowly, she caressed his cheek and then move her hand down to his heart lazily tracing the faint scar left by the Queen of Fables so many years ago.
"What about this contract? I'm pretty sure this one is quite binding," she cooed tapping his heart and reminding him of their spell together.
"Damn. You got me. This is what I get for taking only one pre-law class in my one year of college."
"We all know I'm the brains of this relationship, Grayson."
"In that case, what would milady wish for tonight?"
She leaned in gently brushing her lips with his. A slow sensual breath left her mouth just barely ghosting Dick's lips. Normally Dick would be the one teasing with all these light lingering touches and smooth moves, so Zee wanted to be in charge for once.
"I want you," she whispered softly into his lips, "to do something for me"
"Mmmhmm"
"Something that will make me feel oh so good."
"Uh huh."
"Something that turns me on soooo deeply because it's so hot when you do it."
"I think I'm starting to get the picture."
"I want you," she teasingly kissed him, "to do the laundry tonight…."
"…huh?" Dick asked with a confused stare.
"Yes. I need you to do your laundry. God, those extra work outs you put in at the gym have soaked like all your shirts and shorts. It's revolting. Even your gym bag smells!"
"Ugh but Zee! I literally just got back. Can't we at least snuggle and cuddle?"
"Not until you start a load of laundry first. Remember to add twice the amount of detergent. I will not have my new and frankly expensive home smelling like sweat."
"I thought you liked the smell of my sweat?"
"Yea when I'm horny. Other times, like normal people, sweat smell icky. Now chop chop!"
Begrudgingly, Dick got out of bed. He put on an LSU shirt and was about to leave the bedroom before Zatanna called him back really quick.
"Dick, baby!"
"Yea?" he asked turning around.
*FWUMP*
Zatanna had tossed a light object onto Dick's face. Picking up the thin lacey fabric off his eyes, he realized he held in his hand a pair of Zee's light pink panties that she clearly just took off.
"Don't forget these!"
A/N: Woohoo I officially made it to Nightwing! Yay! I hope you are all enjoying the story so far! Please let know what you think and if you'd like to suggest anything for future chapters. I've also posted this fic on AO3 if you prefer that website better. Like always, come hang out at our Chalant discord where we talk about really anything but mostly the OTP that is Chalant: /YDN4caFaR5