Blackbird

NEW BEGINNINGS

Batman and Robin flipped off the building, descending silently into the alleyway below. They landed behind a man holding a gun, his grip tight on a terrified woman. The man, older and scruffy, didn't notice their arrival. Batman and Robin exchanged a quick nod, signaling for the woman to run.

She bolted down the alley without looking back. As the man turned around, he froze at the sight of the two masked figures. "Oh shit," he muttered, fear creeping into his voice.

Before he could react, Robin swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Batman swiftly disarmed him, taking the gun and tossing it aside.

"If you're gonna threaten someone with a gun, make sure the local vigilantes aren't around," Robin quipped with a smirk.

The man scowled, struggling to push himself up. "Aren't you a little young to be fighting crime?"

Robin shot back without missing a beat, "Aren't you a little old to be causing trouble without a nap?"

Before the man could respond, Batman delivered a precise blow to his head, knocking him out cold.

They effortlessly leaped back up to the rooftop, the city sprawling out before them.

"What now?" Robin asked, glancing at Batman.

"Would you stop chatting with the criminals?" Batman replied, his tone stern.

"Or you could get a sense of humor," Robin retorted, pressing a button on his belt to call the Batcycle below.

Batman let out a long, exasperated sigh. "I'm going home."

Robin grinned, watching the Batcycle speed toward them. "Don't wait up, then," he said, the thrill of the night still buzzing in his veins.
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Batman and Robin pulled into the Batcave, the rumble of the Batmobile echoing off the cavernous walls. The soft glow of the cave's computer systems illuminated the space, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain. As the Batmobile came to a stop, Robin hopped off his motorcycle, pulling off his mask and shaking out his hair.

"Hey, Alfie. What's up?" Robin asked, noticing Alfred standing near the entrance, his posture as formal as ever.

Alfred, ever the picture of composure, offered a small smile. "Someone is waiting for you upstairs," he said, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue.

Robin raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Batman, who was already stepping out of the Batmobile, removing his cowl. Batman met Robin's gaze with a slight nod, acknowledging the unspoken question.

Robin looked back at Alfred, curiosity piqued. "Who is it?" he asked.

Alfred's smile widened just a fraction. "Why don't you go see for yourself, Master Bryce?" he suggested, leaving the mystery hanging in the air.

Robin hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Guess I'll find out," he muttered, heading toward the staircase that led to the manor above.

Batman watched him go, his expression unreadable. As soon as Robin was out of sight, he turned to Alfred. "Any trouble while we were out?"

"None that I couldn't handle, sir," Alfred replied smoothly. "Though I must say, it's been an eventful evening, even by our standards."

Batman allowed a brief smile before turning his attention to the Batcave's central computer, his mind already shifting back to the night's work.
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Bruce and Bryce ascended the grand staircase of Wayne Manor, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished wood. As they reached the top, they made their way to the main lounge, where the air was thick with an unusual tension. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains.

A man stood by the large window, his silhouette partially obscured. The figure was tall, with an air of authority, and as Bruce's eyes adjusted to the dim light, he noticed the man's most distinctive feature—a black eye patch covering one eye.

Bruce cleared his throat, drawing the man's attention. The stranger turned around, revealing a weathered face marked by experience and a certain hardened resolve.

"Can we help you?" Bruce asked, his voice steady, yet edged with caution.

The man chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "You have no idea what's coming, do you?" he said, his tone almost amused.

Bruce's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?" he asked, his posture shifting slightly, ready for anything.

"Calm down, Batman. You and the little bird aren't in any immediate danger," the man replied, his calm demeanor doing nothing to ease the tension in the room.

Bryce, standing beside Bruce, spoke up, his curiosity overcoming his wariness. "Then why are you here?"

The man smiled, a knowing glint in his uncovered eye. "I'd like to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative," he said, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.

The room fell silent, the weight of the man's proposition sinking in as Bruce and Bryce exchanged a glance, the implication of his words sparking a dozen questions.
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The boy swiftly incapacitated the older recruit with a calculated strike, sending him crumpling to the ground. Nyssa al Ghul watched with a mix of pride and stern approval. "Very well, قاتل الخفافيش (Bat-Slayer)," she said, her voice carrying the weight of the title she bestowed upon him.

Across the room, Ra's al Ghul sat in the grand, imposing chair at the head of the chamber, his eyes fixed on the battlefield where his students trained relentlessly. The flicker of torches cast shadows across his face, but his expression remained unreadable.

The boy, catching his breath, approached Ra's and bowed his head in respect. "Master, what is my mission?" he asked, his voice steady, though tinged with the eagerness of youth.

Ra's al Ghul turned his gaze toward the boy, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "There is a new villain in Gotham City," Ra's began, his voice measured and deliberate. "I have met him. He is ruthless, cunning, and has a vision for the city's destruction that aligns with ours."

The boy listened intently, every word sinking into his mind like a commandment.

"When you are ready," Ra's continued, "you will join him in his mission to kill the Bat. You will become the weapon that delivers the final blow. This is the destiny I have shaped for you."

The boy nodded, his resolve hardening. "I won't fail you, Master."

Ra's allowed a small, satisfied smile. "No, you won't," he said, his tone final. "For you are my creation, forged to end the legacy of the Bat once and for all."
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The end of Batman begins