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Chapter 3

"Well, well, well, what do we have here..?" The young female of the three chimed as she strolled leisurely into the room, seemingly unaware of the environment she had just walked into. "What do you want?" Diana burst out, eying the fuming goon behind the speaker and another, more tame looking one, on her other side. "Di, the boys.." Bruce said quietly
"You do something," she hissed
"I'm not jeopardising their safety or risking revealing anything Di, I've sent my distress, the cops should be here soon.. We need to leave.."
"Where from?"
"Fire stairs.." The pair turned to see the fire exit in the far corner.
"You two!" The girl yelled, "stop talking." A low growl gurgled in Bruce's throat but was cut short by a shove from Tim, who received a scowl in response. "Stop this stalling, let's gets busy," the gruff on her right, who had scars all over his shoulders, in cross hatching patterns against his pale skin. His hair was black, his nostrils flared and he had a wild look in his eyes, as if he were about to froth at the mouth. He pounced on some unsuspecting guests, causing more yelps of fear, people were hiding under tables and the band cowered fearfully behind their instruments. The brute cackled until he received a warning look from the girl, who appeared to be the superior, "We... Are looking for someone..." She started, striding through the ballroom, "and we were told, that if we cause enough trouble, he'll come," she stopped.
"Do you know who we are talking about?" No one answered, she snapped her head abruptly to the side and the brute and her other pal grabbed people suddenly, causing more cries, "if you help us, we'll let you go.."
"Do you know..?" The scarred brute hissed, spotting on one of his hostages faces
"No, no, I'm sorry," the man cowered and the woman beside him began to cry.
"Shut up! Shut up, I hate tears." The brute cried
"Shade," his leader snapped, "don't be a barbarian,"
He dropped his head, "sorry.."
"Good man," she paced toward the hostages her other helper had, lifting a dagger to another man's chin, "tell me where to find Batman," she growled, pressing the knife into his jaw
"I don't know ma'am.. He just.. Just shows up.." He managed, beads of sweat curling down from his hairline
"Just. Shows. Up." She scowled, "well, obviously we haven't done.. A very. Good. Job. Then!" She stepped with each word, spinning and throwing the thin knife at the wall above the stairs when she finished. Dick looked sideways at the knife, embedded in the plaster and inches from his head as he stood, practically weaponless at the top of the stair case. The girl walked forward, "youuu," she hissed, her eyes hooded in distaste, "are NOT Batman,"
Dick looked down at himself, shrugged as if to say 'well you're not wrong' and took a few steps downward, "I know," he responded
"Nightwing," the olive skinned thug spat, the goggles on his head glinting light from the chandelier. One of his hands, which was glowing a sharp blue and radiating intense, lilac flames, was hovering uncomfortable close to a hostages face. Thinking quickly, Dick pulled two blades from his sides and threw them, planting both into the thugs forearm and back into the wall that was behind him. The hooded girl appeared to be fighting laughter, a wicked smile splitting her face despite never having turned from Dick. "That's unlucky, Fever," she sniggered, Dick watched her spinning a dagger between her fingers
"You shut your bitch mouth," Fever snapped back, his mouth frothing from pain. He reached for a blade and yanked it from his arm, retrieving it with a howl. Everyone else was silent. Dick stepped closer, the 'hood's eyes watching him intently, her head cocked to the side with interest. The other knife also came out with a struggle and a scream and 'Shade', as he was referred, sniggered to himself, receiving a dirty glare from Fever. Fever took the blades from the ground and walked, with speed towards the nearest person, who froze at the sight of him. Diana saw the glint in his eye while she stood at the fire exit, evacuating the crowd. Bruce grabbed her, pressing his hand to her mouth to stop her crying out as Fever raised the knives and slit the old mans throat. His body crumpled as the life left it and his wife broke down in sobs, rushing to his side and falling to her knees. Diana fell into Bruce, tears stinging her eyes, he moved his hand and she turned into him and cried while Tim and Damien continued trying to get everyone out.
"Oh for fuck sakes stop crying!!" Shade yelled out, walking towards the woman, he pulled a gun out on his path and two shots echoed in the room, silence straight after. "How DARE you," Dick growled, speeding up and catching the villains face with the back of his hand. She stumbled sideward and cupped her stinging cheek, glaring at him, "HOW DARE I?! FOOL!" She retorted.
Shade was reeling, starring at the crumbled bodies that Fever had stepped over in his path to Dick.
"Stay. Back. Fever." She hissed, her cheek tinted a shade of pink. Fever growled but obeyed the order. Bruce was staring as people hurried out. The three villains didn't seem to care anymore. Shade was still distracted, he threw the gun at the two casualties and roared. Fever stepped any direction he could, grabbing more people as they began to ran, no longer paralysed with fear as their survival instinct kicked in. His burning hands caught skin and Dick could smell the reek of burning flesh as sizzling gurgled unpleasantly in his ears. He threw his ball and chains, catching Fever's ankles and causing him to fall to the ground, burning perfect handprints into the wood. Dick stormed forward, sending two blades into Shade, who charged at him in a temper only to receive a solid punch in the face, knocking him backwards. His head bobbled along the floorboards, his body going limp as he had the consciousness forced out of him.
"And you." Dick growled, turning to face the girl, his blue eyes crackling behind his mask

"And me?" She asked, not at all phased by his anger

"Who do you think you are?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"What do you want here?"

"Why so many questions?" She smiled.

At the fire escape the last people able were making their way out the door, relief coming as the sound of sirens became clear. "Took them long enough," Bruce grumbled, still holding Di, "come on boys, time to leave," he instructed, shifting his sobbing love and directing her toward the door.

"Where's Dick?" Damian asked, concern smearing across his face.

"He went to the bathroom last I saw," Tim replied, "he's probably still in there," he looked at Bruce.

"He's a smart man Damian, he will keep himself safe, but right now you three are my immediate priority, so let's go," Bruce said sternly. Damian dropped his head and Tim pat him on the shoulder, offering him an encouraging smile as the four of them disappeared down the stairs. Bruce looked back to catch one last glimpse of Nightwing.. Of Dick, before the door shut itself.