Nightwing - Heir to the Demon #7

No matter what, we must never forget the truth of this situation. This is what Bruce has been preparing us for since the day we joined his crusade. He’s never denied it, nor tried to avoid it. Hell, I still remember the first words he told me when he finally relented and agreed to train, mainly thanks to Alfred twisting his arm.

 

Batman: Fine, but understand this. This is not fun. This is not a hobby. This is a war. War on the streets, war on the system and perhaps most of all. A war against those would use terror.

 

Dick: A war on terror? Terror from where?

 

Batman: From beyond. There’s an order hidden deep within the Middle East, slowly plotting the downfall of human civilisation. No-one knows of them, but they’ve existed for hundreds of years, waiting.

 

Dick: Waiting for what?

 

Batman: The right moment. When society is at its lowest and our faith in one another is all but broken. Only then can they strike.

 

Dick: Why then?

 

Batman: Their warriors are mighty, but few. Disorganisation and distrust is that is needed for their success. That’s why we must be ready.

 

Dick: We? Does that mean?

 

Before I could complete my question, Bruce threw a Batarang at me. Not exactly the most welcoming way to say ‘congrats you’ve got the job’ but the reasoning behind it was clear. When he joined the League of Assassins, Ra’s subjected him to a trial immediately to see if he was worthy enough to join his organisation. Bruce decided to give me a similar treatment only with a batarang instead of a knife. I can’t say that I was particularly pleased with having a batarang thrown at me though.

 

Fortunately, I managed to dodge it. Just.

 

Batman: We start tomorrow.

 

Even then, I could pick up on the reluctance in his voice. Bruce never wanted to train me, in fact were it not for Alfred he probably wouldn’t have. But I like to think that time proved it to be a good decision. He’s taken on two more Robin’s since me so that’s probably as clear a sign as I’m going to get. He’ll never admit taking me on was a good idea to my face. That’s just how he is.

 

I like to think that I’m different to Bruce on that front. I’ve made no secret of how good a choice I believe it was to introduce Bruce to Tim and the past few years appear to have proven me right given how Tim is now the longest serving Robin. Not to mention probably the wisest of us. That probably explains why Bruce gives him more free reign than he did Jason or I. Or he’s simply hesitant to repeat the mistakes of the past.

I’ll give Third Bird the benefit of the doubt and say that Bruce gives him more free reign because he’s the wisest Robin. Though now that I think about it, it’d be a miracle if it wasn’t simply Bruce trying to avoid the mistakes of the past.

 

Probably best to not mention that to him.

 

Dick: So aside from the impending catastrophe, how are things?

 

Tim: Busy, all things considered. We’ve had to contend with Damian for about a month or so, and even though we took him down two weeks ago, he’s gained followers.

 

Dick: Followers? That really should surprise me.

 

Tim: But this is Gotham?

 

Dick: This is Gotham.

 

This really can be used to explain far too much of what happens in this city. I wonder if people say the same about the likes of Metropolis, Central City or Coast City. Who am I kidding, being the homes of a Justice League member in each case, it’s all but inevitable.

 

Tim: Certainly didn’t help that he took my dad in the middle of all this.

 

Dick: Your dad’s back in Gotham?

 

Tim: He was. After the so called ‘Crimson Knight’ abducted him and held him hostage at City Hall, I was able to talk him into moving just outside the city. One less thing to worry about.

 

Dick: Does he know the truth?

 

Tim: My dad? No idea. Or at least, I can’t be sure.

 

Dick: So he does and he doesn’t?

 

Tim: More a, I don’t think he does, but he said something that makes me think otherwise.

 

Dick: You never thought of simply asking him?

 

Tim: I don’t want to saddle him with that knowledge. He was already made a target because of me, the last thing I want is my secret to make him any more of a target.

 

Dick: I know what you mean.

 

Tim: Do you?

 

Dick: I know what’s like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, and to be afraid of the damage that be caused by that responsibility. But trust me, if you care for him, you should tell him. Not just for him, but for yourself. I can promise you, it feels great once you lift that burden.

 

Tim: Who was it that you trusted with your secret?

 

Dick: Well that’s a tricky one. She wouldn’t really like me saying. But some people know her as Batgirl.

 

Tim: Barbra was the one you entrusted in?

 

Well, technically Alfred was the first person that was trusted with that secret outside of Bruce and myself, but it’s dubious as to whether or not he counts given how he fits into everything.

 

Dick: Yeah. Why do you think Bruce reacted so kindly to me dating her?

 

Tim: Because he doesn’t like anything that takes priority over the mission.

 

That’s far too clear and direct an answer to have not dealt with the same response. Oh, Third Bird, have you got yourself a special little someone?

 

Dick: You’ve had to deal with that as well? Who’s the lucky lady?

 

Tim: I don’t think I should…

 

He attempts to change the topic, evidently wanting to avoid having to talk about his special someone. Unfortunately for him, I’m Dick Grayson and I'm incredibly persistent.

 

Dick: Come on, I promise I won’t tell anyone. Robin’s honour.

 

Tim: Her name is Stephanie Blake.

 

Dick: The Cluemaster’s daughter?

 

Tim: You know her?

 

Dick: I know of her, and especially her father.

 

He’s not been causing trouble has he?

He was a poor substitute for Nygma personally, but who am I to complain? I’ve not had to deal with him since leaving Gotham.

 

Tim: I’d love to be able to say no. But sadly not, his wife created an alias specifically to fight him.

 

Dick: That’s one way to try and get a divorce.

 

Tim: But long story short, both of Steph’s parents fought. She found out I was Robin and ended up taking up her mother’s vigilante identity to fight crime.

 

Dick: Well. This is Gotham. So, where is she? How come she’s not here?

 

Tim: She’s in hospital, undergoing emergency surgery.

 

Yikes. I may have just stepped in it.

 

Dick: What!? Why?

 

Tim: She was injured when the League sent an agent to deal with me. She saved my life, but potentially at the cost of her own.

 

Dick: Stop it. You stop that right now. Her current situation is not your fault.

 

Tim: But she’s only in this state because of me! The agent came after me not her! If I’d just ignored what Bruce said and stayed on patrol, none of this would have happened. Steph would fine and…

 

Dick: You potentially wouldn’t be.

 

Tim: Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Dick: I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself, hell I think you’re probably the best trained out of the three of us. You must be to have lasted longer than either Jason or me. But the fact is, facing one of the League’s agents is like fighting Bruce. There’s no guarantee as to who would come out best in different circumstances. I probably wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for Barbra having my back.

 

Tim: And I wouldn’t be here without Steph. We were just lucky I packed some equipment just in case.

 

Dick: Wait, you were attacked out of costume?

 

Tim: Yeah, the assailant attacked us at the county fair.

 

He fought off one of the League’s agents out of his costume? Now that’s impressive. What the hell have you been teaching this kid Bruce, and why didn’t you teach it to me?

 

Dick: Well then there’s no way you can blame yourself for what happened. You were caught unprepared and unarmoured.

 

Tim: But we wouldn’t have needed armour were it not for me! She’s in the state she is now because of me!

 

Dick: No. Stephanie is in the condition she is now because of the assailant. It was him that gave her the wounds, not you. You saved her.

 

Tim: But I put in that danger in the first place!

 

Dick: No you didn’t! There’s only one person who put her in danger and that was the coward that is Ra’s Al-Ghul. Sending his minions to do his bidding because he doesn’t the courage or strength to do it himself. None of this is your fault. It’s his. Now grow up. You’re better than this.

 

Barbra: Are you of all people, seriously telling someone to grow up?

 

Roy: Isn’t that something a grown up tells people to do?

 

Dick: Shut up, Speedy.

 

It’s times like these that I miss Bruce’s hatred for unnecessary dialogue.

 

Roy: The name’s Arsenal, boy blunder.

 

Dick: Actually boy blunder is his name now. That title left me once I went solo.

 

Tim: Are you sure about, Wing Ding?

 

Dick: STOP CALLING ME THAT NAME!

 

Barbra: Congratulations. You just guaranteed that we’re never going to stop.

 

Dick: I hate you all.

 

Worryingly, I’m not sure if I’m joking right now or not.

Done