Chapter 11: Barbequed Loeb
Dick Grayson was adjusting to his new life at Wayne Manor pretty quick and still couldn't believe how Bruce had given him such a nice and fancy room without having to pay rent or anything. As a way to cope with his recent loss, Bruce had called on his old friend and child psychiatrist, Dr. Leslie Thompkins to have therapy sessions with Dick. Just like Bruce considered Alfred to be his surrogate father, he considered Leslie to be the closest thing he had to a surrogate mother as she helped him get through the tough times he had when his parents were killed and that's why he felt she could help Dick out of his dark time too. "I still the see him killing them almost every time I close my eyes. I can't get their screams out of my head. I'm still struggling to accept the fact that it happened.", Dick said to Leslie. "That's what happens when you go through the five stages of grief. Right now, you're in denial. You like to pretend it didn't happen, but it did. Then eventually you'll go to the other stages which are anger, bargaining, depression, and then acceptance.", Leslie explained. "I'm angry alright. Angry that I could have stopped him if I turned my attention towards him instead of those other guys.", Dick said. "Bruce used to tell me the exact same thing when he lost his family. He told me he wishes he could have pinned the mugger down or something to save his parents. I kept telling him he was only eight years old and was being held at gunpoint. His father did everything he could, but still lost in the end. You and him are a lot alike, Dick.", Leslie said. "I know. I've been told that before.", Dick said. "And just like him, you'll come out of this dark time and be stronger than ever.", Leslie assured him. "Thank you, Dr. Thompkins.", Dick said. "No problem. And call me, Leslie. We'll have to continue this next time. I have to get back to my clinic.", she said. She said goodbye to Dick and ran into Bruce and Alfred in the hallway. "I think our session went well.", she told them. "Glad to hear that, Leslie. I can't thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedule to help Dick through this.", Bruce said. "You don't have to thank me, Bruce. I'm always there to help you and your friends out. I especially know how busy you are at both your jobs.", Leslie said who was well aware of Bruce's double life. "I beg your pardon, Dr. Thompkins. Master Bruce has only one job.", Alfred said trying to throw suspicion off of Bruce. "It's okay, Alfred. I know that Bruce is the Batman. I could tell no one else could be able to acquire all the gadgets Batman has unless they are very wealthy and have a company with access to tech like that. As well as someone who hates criminals as much as Bruce told me when he was very young.", Leslie said. Bruce and Alfred remained silent as they weren't sure what to say next. "It's okay. I won't tell anyone. I too think you've done good since you first came back home. All I ask is that you be careful and don't do anything too reckless that you'll wind up regretting it.", Leslie said. "I always am careful and make sure I don't too anything too reckless. I swore to never kill anyone if that's what you're referring to.", Bruce said. "I'm glad to hear that. Let me know when Dick wants to see me again.", Leslie said and then left the manor. Bruce looked up and saw the Bat signal shining through the window. "Speak of the devil. Look after Dick while I'm gone.", Bruce told Alfred. "Of course, sir.", Alfred said. "What are you guys talking about?", Dick asked as he came in the room where they were. "I was just saying that Lucius called and says he needs me to come and check something out at Wayne Tower.", Bruce lied. "I'll keep you company in the meantime, Master Dick. I'll fix us something to eat.", Alfred said. "Okay. See you later, Bruce.", Dick said. Bruce then snuck down to the cave and put on the Batsuit. He got in the Batmobile and drove towards the city. The Pike brothers were at it again torching Rupert Thorne's warehouses down by the docks. This time, they gathered a bunch of arsonists from all over the city like Firefly instructed which only escalated the danger. Commissioner Loeb was at scene ordering the arsonists to stand down and give themselves up, but they refused. In retaliation, they were using all kinds of custom-made incendiary weapons against the cops. "Eat this, pigs!", Caleb Pike shouted and threw a grenade. A cop care was blown up and the officers inside it were now dead. "Jesus Christ! Fall back!", Loeb told his men. They all hid behind their cars in case of another attack while the arsonists continued their work. The warehouses were entirely up in flames and the arsonists only kept going with what they were doing. Loeb saw Gordon's car and the Batmobile driving onto the scene and stopped once they were in front of him. Both Gordon and Batman got out of their cars and joined the officers who were fearing for their lives. "Commissioner, are you okay?", Gordon asked. "Do I look okay, Jim? These crazy bastards are setting this dock ablaze and they just blew up one of our cars with a couple of our brothers in it.", Loeb said. "Let's just take action.", Gordon said. "They got all kinds of crazy arson weapons on them. I'm starting to think we don't stand a chance.", Loeb said. "Let me do things my way, Loeb.", Batman said as he made his presence known to the criminals. "You guys have really hit a new low now. And you gathered even more of your friends for me to put away.", Batman said. "I thought you would be happy were getting rid of Thorne's warehouse, Batman. You put him away after all.", Joe Pike said. "I'm not happy that you're putting people at risk with your fires and that you just killed police officers.", Batman said. "This wasn't even our idea, man.", one of the arsonists said. "Really? Then whose was it?", Batman asked. "Mine!", said a raspy voice which sounded like it was coming from above. In came Firefly who was putting his jetpack to good use and was flying all over the docks but stopped to talk to Batman. "Well, well. The great Batman. So nice to finally meet you.", Firefly said. "Who are you?", Batman asked the flying maniac. "Of course, you don't know who I am. Seeing as how you didn't save me when I was almost killed at the circus. I was cooked alive because you didn't stop those crooks before they got to me.", Firefly said. These hints made Batman realize who he was talking to. "Garfield Lynns, I presume?", Batman asked. "Not anymore. Garfield Lynns died when the glorious flames ate away at his flesh and birthed him a new man. I am Firefly! The greatest arsonist this town will ever know! Especially since I have big plans for it.", Firefly said. "It's a shame you won't be able to carry out those plans when I put you and your friends away.", Batman said. "You can try, but you're just gonna fry!", Firefly said as he used his flamethrower. Flames spouted towards Batman and he quickly dodged out of the way leaving only a part of his cape singed. Batman then threw a batarang at Firefly which did hit him and made him lose his balance and concentration in the air. "Oh, you want to play with toys? I have some toys of my own too.", Firefly said as he got out a few of his powerful incendiary grenades and threw them at Batman. "Get back!", Batman shouted to the cops. They all took cover and got back as best as they could while the grenades exploded and left huge blazes behind them. "You punks can't stop the fire! It will burn Gotham until there's nothing left!", Firefly shouted maniacally. "You're insane, Lynns! This needs to end now!", Batman shouted. "I told you it's Firefly! The only thing that will end is you!", Firefly shouted. Gordon intervened and pointed his gun at Firefly. "You heard him, you psycho! Fly down and give yourself up!", Gordon yelled and fired a shot that hit on Firefly's wings as a warning. "Now, you made me mad! Eat fire, Captain!", Firefly shouted as he got his flamethrower ready. "Gordon get down!", Loeb shouted as he lunged at Gordon to push him out of the way. Firefly's flamethrower spewed flames that consumed the commissioner's entire body. "Commissioner!", Gordon shouted. Loeb screamed in pain as he was being burnt alive. He stopped, dropped, and rolled on the ground, but to no avail did it work to put out the fire. "Someone put him out!", Gordon shouted. Batman unhooked his cape from his back and used that to put out Loeb. "I was really hoping to grill me the captain, but the commissioner is just as good. Let's head out, boys! Our work here is done!", Firefly said to his gang. "Okay, boss.", one of the arsonists said as they all escaped following Firefly's lead letting Thorne's warehouse burn and fall into the river. Batman had successfully put out Loeb with his cape who was clinging onto life as best as he could. "Oh, God! We need an ambulance now!", Gordon ordered his men. While the cops called for an ambulance, Gordon was talking to Loeb and trying keep him conscious. "Commissioner, help is on the way! Stay with me! Just stay with me!", Gordon told his boss. But Loeb was struggling not to succumb to his burns and the rest will have to be left up to fate.