Chapter 15: Friend In Need
Harvey and Grace had made their way back safely to Harvey's place after the fiasco at the music festival. "Why don't you stay here for the night? Just to be safe.", Harvey told Grace. "Sure, that sounds nice, but I can take care of myself you know.", Grace said. "I know, but after what happened to Loeb and now that pyromaniac is attacking a simple music festival, I worry he's like a hawk flying around out there waiting to fry any random person he sees.", Harvey said. "I'm sure he'll be caught. With Jim Gordon on the job, he won't escape the law for too long. Besides, we're safe here.", Grace said. Just then, a hand covered Grace's mouth from behind a gun was pointed right at her. Only it wasn't a gun, it was a flamethrower. Grace looked behind her and saw it was Firefly who had her. Grace started to scream, but her sounds were muffled by Firefly's hand. Although, her sounds were enough to get Harvey's attention and Harvey saw what was going on. Harvey got out his gun and pointed it right at the villain. "You son of a bitch! Let her go!", Harvey yelled. "I'd put the gun down if I were you, Mr. Dent. If you even think about pulling that trigger, your girlfriend will be hotter than ever!", he joked in a sick manner. "What the hell do you want?", Harvey demanded. "I came here for you. Now that the Bat has a sidekick, I'm going to have to put my plan into action sooner than I thought. And that plan involves taking you hostage, Mr. District Attorney.", Firefly demanded. "And if I refuse?", Harvey asked. "Then like I said, this lovely lady here will be well done in a matter of seconds.", he threatened. Harvey put his gun down and held up his hands to surrender. "Okay. I'm willing to be taken hostage. Just don't hurt Grace.", Harvey said. Firefly threw Grace aside and grabbed Harvey. "With you as my hostage, I'll draw Batman and his fine feathered friend out and take them out. Then, Gotham is mine to set ablaze! You better strap in, it's gonna be a bumpy flight!", Firefly said before he flew out the window with Harvey. Grace immediately called the cops afterwards who got on the job right away. Meanwhile at Wayne Manor, Bruce had Dick, Lucius, and Alfred in the same room together. "Bruce, don't you think you're being too hard on him? He just wants to help you; just like me and Alfred do.", Lucius said. "I told him not to get involved with what I do and he deliberately disobeyed me. And worst of all, he dragged you into it too. How did he convince you to make a suit and toys for him?", Bruce asked as Alfred was addressing to the burn he received earlier. "He didn't really convince me. He just came to me and asked me if I could give him his own set of stuff. And seeing how crazy this city is, I figured you could use the help. I think he could be a good partner for you.", Lucius said. "I don't need a partner. I can handle Gotham by myself. "I won't condone Master Dick's actions, sir; but from what I saw on the news, he seemed to handle himself pretty well against Firefly and his men. Maybe you could use his assistance; at least temporarily.", Alfred said as he was finishing patching up Bruce. "How could you say that, Alfred? You also agreed that he shouldn't be involved in this.", Bruce said as he put his shirt back on from Alfred taking care of his burn. "Yes, I did. But I remember saying the same thing about you when you first donned cape and cowl until you showed me otherwise. Master Dick might show me otherwise as well.", Alfred said. "Well, he won't to me.", Bruce said. "Woah, check it out!", Dick said as he pointed towards the TV where a live emergency news broadcast was happening. "District Attorney Harvey Dent has been kidnapped from his home. The kidnapper has been confirmed to be wanted fugitive, Garfield Lynns, who is responsible for the death of police commissioner Gillian Loeb. The whereabouts of both Mr. Dent and Lynns are unknown for the time being.", Vicki Vale reported. She then got a new update on her earpiece. "This just in, the station just received some footage relating to the abduction. Viewer discretion is advised as the video is disturbing.", Vicki said before rolling the tape. Firefly then appeared with a bound Harvey Dent in the background along with his gang of arsonists in what seemed to be some kind of furnace room. "Good evening, Gotham! As you can see behind me is your beloved DA all tied up. He will be among the first in this miserable city to experience the flame. Our work will begin tonight, and I have no doubt the Batman will try and stop us. You'll have to find us first though, Batman. I know you're watching this and I hope you know there's no stopping what's to come! It'll be a hot one in the old town tonight!", Firefly said just as the tape ended. "Harvey.", Bruce muttered solemnly. "You see, Bruce. This is the kind of work that you'll need my help with. To save Harvey and stop Firefly.", Dick suggested. "I hate to admit it, but I do think it would be wise to accept that offer, Master Bruce. You know that Firefly intends to set all of Gotham ablaze one way or another. Maybe he can give you the help you need to put an end to his reign of terror.", Alfred. Bruce didn't know what to say so he stayed quiet for some time as he kept looking at all three of them. Ultimately, he caved into Dick's demands and the pressure of the situation. "Fine, but just this once and that's it. No more Robin after tonight.", Bruce said. "I wouldn't be so sure of that.", Dick said. "That's my one and only offer. Take it or leave it.", Bruce said. "Okay, deal.", Dick said. "How are we going to find your friend?", Dick asked. "I know Harvey's phone has a GPS tracking app. I can easily trace that.", Bruce said. "Well, let's go!", Dick said eagerly. "Hold it, Bruce. After seeing how badly burnt you got tonight. I thought I would show you something down in the cave that should protect you.", Lucius said. When all four of them got down to the cave, Lucius showed them a Bat armor suit that was all black with a light blue bat symbol, gloves, belt, and boots. The helmet looked like his cowl except with no open space for his mouth. "I took the time to make this fireproof suit to help you tackle this pyromaniac. Just like how the XE Suit helped you out with Mr. Freeze and his icy threats.", Lucius said. "Are you going to make a special suit for every big bad guy I fight, Lucius?", Bruce joked. "I could certainly try if you would like me to.", Lucius said. "I like it. It should definitely help. Alright, let's get to it!", Bruce said as he and Dick got suited up as the first official adventure of Batman and Robin was about to begin.