Nightwing - Heir to the Demon #17

I must be getting old. We’re only a couple of blocks away from the GCPD and Barbara still has the lead. Come on Grayson, you’ve still got a few years before you’re at the big three zero, there’s no way you can let her beat you. We jump onto the roof of Harvey’s Wine Bar and before I know it, Barbara’s almost at the other end of the rooftop. She’s clearly been training quietly behind my back, but who with? At this rate it may well have been Wally with how fast she’s going.

 

This means only thing. There’s only one way I’m going to win this race. I’m sorry, Babs. You leave me no choice…

 

Nightwing: Ah, ze sweet delight of the Gotham rooftops.

 

Batgirl: Do you really have to do that accent?

 

Nightwing: What accent would that be?

 

Barbra gives no response and simply shakes her head as we jump across another street.

 

Nightwing: What’s wrong mademoiselle?

 

Batgirl: What if they’re already there? What if we’re too late?

 

Nightwing: We won’t be.

 

Batgirl: But what if we are? You heard what Talia said, they already out number us. Who’s to say that they don’t have sleeper agents within the GCPD already?

 

Man, Barbara really is worried about her father. Even more than usual which is odd. Good ol’Jim is as tough as nails. She knows it, Bruce knows it, I know it. So why is she even more worried than usual? Suddenly it dawns on me why. It was Damian who took her father’s hand. Now it all makes sense. They’ve already shown what they can do to him if they get a chance to. What if they manage to get even more time alone with him? Oh boy, you’ve really stepped in it now, Grayson. It almost makes me feel bad for what I’m about to do next….

 

Before I respond to Barbara’s question, I race past her and start to jump across to the next rooftop.

 

Nightwing: Well then we’d better not dilly dally!

 

As you’d imagine, she gives no verbal response in fact, more worryingly, she gives no response at all. Well, I guess there’s no point asking her the question anytime soon now. Looks like it’ll be another two weeks before I can even think about trying to get her to say yes.

 

Nice job, Grayson.

 

That’s 10 days’ work straight out the window.

 

Guess I’ll have to…wait what’s grabbing hold of my leg?!?!

 

He can be such a child sometimes, and I love him for it, but now really isn’t the time to be making silly jokes. Unless….no….come on Barbara, you know better. If you respond all it will do is encourage him. No. Rise above it. When he acts like a child you have to treat him like such or he’ll never stop.

 

…

 

…

 

Alright Grayson, you’re not the only one who can play dirty…

 

As he starts to leap across to the next rooftop I reach for my grapple gun and before he knows what’s happening, my grapple grabs hold of his right leg and I pull him back.

 

Nightwing: What was that for?

 

Batgirl: Just returning the favour. You’re not the only one who can play dirty.

 

That’s right, Grayson. Two can play that game.

 

Nightwing: Could you have been a bit nicer about it? I was terrified that the League was attacking me for a moment.

 

Batgirl: Yeah, I probably could have. But where’s the fun in that?

 

Damn it, Barbra. That scared me half to death.

 

Nightwing: …..

 

Actually….

 

Now that I think about it…

 

That was pretty funny…

 

She really did spook me.

 

Nightwing: I wish I could stay mad at you.

 

Batgirl: No you don’t.

 

As she says that, she makes a point of nudging me in the chest with her elbow. There’s the Barbra Gordon I know and love.

 

Nightwing: So what do we do now?

 

Batgirl: Well since you decided to cheat first, I think I should get another head start.

 

Nightwing: A head start?

 

Batgirl: Don’t think you can catch up?

 

Nightwing: No…it’s j…..

 

Batgirl: Because I swear you seemed to be lagging behind before you distracted me.

 

Oh, Miss Gordon. It’s on now.

 

Nightwing: Oh you mean when I decided to let you win?

 

Batgirl: Really? Is that why you had to cheat to take the lead?

 

Nightwing: …

 

I hate it when she makes such a good point. How can I possibly respond to that and not look stupid? The answer is simple: I can’t.

 

Batgirl: That’s what I thought. So how far ahead would you say I was? I reckon it was at least five or six.

 

Nightwing: Five or six? Are you trying to insult me?

 

Batgirl: I don’t need to insult you to win.

 

Nightwing: Big words. Fancy putting them to the test?

 

Batgirl: Name your price.

 

Nightwing: I win, you have to say yes.

 

Batgirl: Oooft, that’s a pretty big price.

 

Nightwing: Scared?

 

Batgirl: Not at all. I’m just wondering what you’re going to give me when I win.

 

Nightwing: Name your price.

 

Batgirl: Alright. Since you’re so confident, I win and you have to do something for me no ifs, not buts.

 

Well that’s a terrifying proposal. There are like 60 possibilities for what it could be, some good, some I wouldn’t even wish on my enemies. Just say no, Grayson. Say no.

 

Nightwing: You’re on.

 

Batgirl: You’re going to regret this.

 

Nightwing: I’d say the same but I’d like to think that you won’t.

 

Batgirl: Well there’s only one way to find out. On your marks…

 

Both Barbara and walk up next to the rooftop edge and take our starting positions. She seems to eager to win which is a bit worrying the more I think about it. Does she want to win to get me to do something willingly? Or does she really not want to say yes?

 

Nightwing: Get set….

 

Come on, Grayson. This could be the most important race of your life. You have to win it.

 

Batgirl: Go!

Done