He's Back! But as our Den Mother?

Chapter 3: Maybe a Bit More Training?

~Nightwing's POV~

    Bruce and I watched about 8 movies before Bruce had to start patrolling. Bruce invited me to go on patrol, as he said 'like the good old days', and hey what could go wrong. Running around the streets of Gotham and beating the crap out of criminals was always a good way to clear the mind.

    It was cold and damp, not surprising. We were running rooftop to rooftop when a high pitched scream echoed through the alleyways. I picked up my speed and flipped off the building. I flew through the air and landed on the ground near the criminals. It was a pretty normal scene, 4 thugs cornered a young girl and tried to rob her.

    "Come on baby girl, just give us the purse and we won't have to hurt that pretty little face of yours." One thug said while slapping the girl across the face and knocking her to the ground.

    "Please, please just leave me alone." The girl begged while trying to get up. She looks to be around 20 years old. She was crabbing a large purse in her lap.

    "Now that's no way to treat a lady." I said making myself known.

    "Ah shit, the Bat Brat is here. That means Batman! Keep your eyes open boys." One of the thugs said, grabbing his gun. Now this, I hated this more than anything. I mean come on! I am standing right here and they think I'm weak. I swear this happens on a weekly basis.

    "You know I can kick all of your asses by the time Bats shows up, right." I said, I was trying to intimidate them. Why am I trying to prove myself to thugs on the street. God, I'm so out of it.

    "I'd like to see you try Boy Blunder." A third thug fired his gun. I dodged easily and pulled out my Escrima Sticks and began charging them. It took me 5 minutes to take down the first two guys. Boy, I am doing horrible tonight. Thank God Bruce isn't here. Scratch that, he's most definitely watching this. I pulled out a wing ding (WHY TF DOES HE CALL THEM THAT) and threw it at the third guy's hand disarming him. I quickly took him down after that. Then after 3 more minutes the last thug was unconscious on the ground. I quickly tied them up and sat them on the street for the police to take care of. The girl was frozen in fear on the ground.

    "Hey, it's alright now they wont hurt you anymore." I said reaching a hand out trying to help her up. She took my hand and I pulled her back up to her feet. She wrapped her arms around me, giving me a tight embrace.

    "Thank you, I really thought they were gonna kill me." She said crying into my chest. After a bit she finally let go. "I should get home now, that you again."

    "No need for thanks, it's just part of the job." I said with my signature smile. She then ran off back to the street and home. "I know you're in the shadows, Bats," I said, still looking at the street.

    "You were sloppy. I thought I trained you better, it took you around 10 minutes to handle a simple mugging." Batman said, emerging from the shadows of the ally behind me.

    "I know I was horrible, I just..." I tried to say before Batman cut me off.

    "I know Wing, but here it is life or death. You need to be better and quicker if you ever want to go solo." He said putting a hand on my shoulder. I tried responding but I was stopped by the sound of approaching sirens. "We'll continue this later, that's our cue to leave." He said pulling his grappler gun out of his utility belt.

    We had been patrolling for a good 4 hours after that incident. No matter the fight I was always one step behind. When I looked at my holocomputer the time read 6:00am.

    "How about we go to the top of Wayne Enterprise so we can watch the Sunrise." Bruce said, tying up two unconscious thugs. "What do you say chum, just like old times." It had been so long since Bruce and I had done this. I gave him a quick nod and we headed on our way. We climbed our way to the top of Wayne Enterprise, one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Gotham.