Why We're Here

The Electric Blitz Falls

I didn't start off wanting this life. When I began as Blitz, I wanted to kill Superman and move on with my life, but I learned. Killing Superman would have only made the pain of losing my parents worse. I had to overcome that, and, to do so, I had to fight against those who would maliciously orphan children.
Thus, Blitz was born. As the crime-fighting partner of Batgirl, I was unstoppable. I saved a few kids from becoming the same tragedy I was, all while working through my grief. I may have started out on the same path as Batman, but now, he and the rest of my family have helped me to become something better.
I don't want to be a hero, nobody ever can. Heroes don't exist. There is the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, but there are no heroes. Heroes never kill anybody, and even Gods have to kill, whether they like it or not.
I've learned that, and I know you can't save everyone. You can't rid the world of crime, nor can you stop every murder. Good cannot exist without evil. Until you know that, you can never become a true savior. You only become what society sees as a hero when you realize you cannot save the world.
It took me a long time to realize this. Perhaps the biggest realization hit me when one of my closest friends had one of the worst things happen to her. That is another story for a later time, for now, we start with a fight.
"I'm not a little kid anymore, Bruce!" Dick shouted, "I'm nearly twenty, you can't order me around anymore."
Dick had changed a lot since the day I first bet him, but, then again, all of us had. Dick had grown to be as tall as Bruce, if not a tiny bit taller. He had grown his hair out to where he could put it in a ponytail, despite the constant criticisms of Bruce and laughter of me. As a grown, muscular, happy man, he looked odd in his Robin costume.
"You haven't listened to me since day one," Bruce retorted.
Bruce would never admit it, but I knew he saw Dick as one of his proudest achievements. Dick had turned into everything Bruce could not be. He was strong, but also humble. Brave, but also bold. While Bruce was constantly wallowing in the depression of his parent's death, Dick had overcome his grief and become his own man. He was even happy.
"I am an adult, Bruce!" Dick exclaimed, "I don't want to always be know as Batman's Little BatBrat."
There had been very few times I'd ever seen Dick frown, and this was one of them. He had only ever frowned at bad guys, but now, he was frowning at Bruce.
Alfred and I stood against the wall. One moment, we were all having a happy dinner, and the next, Dick was shouting at Bruce. I didn't know what else to do besides stand next to Alfred and watch.
"What are you saying?" Bruce asked.
Dick balled his fists, "I-I don't know, I guess-I don't want to be Robin anymore. I want to be my own hero, and, maybe, finally step out from under your shadow."
I did my best to smother my gasp. Even Alfred's eyes widened. Only Bruce didn't react. He simply stared at Dick for a solid three minutes. In those three minutes, I swear the tension filled the room like frozen butter.
"I expected this," Bruce finally replied, "You are much too ambitious, and too eager to carve your own path."
"Really?" Dick asked.
Bruce nodded, "Yes, and you have my blessing to do so."
"Wait, seriously?"
"You will need a name and a costume."
Dick's smile was brighter than the sun, "I already got one. Nightwing."
Alfred glanced at me as I snorted. Dick and I had had a previous conversation about this, and he obviously ignored my remark against that name. As he said it, his confidence only grew. Bruce continued to stare, "Good choice. Do you have a costume idea?"
"Yes, I sketched it," Dick grinned.
"There are materials in the cave. Can you do it?"
"Can a robin fly?"
Bruce nearly smiled. Dick grinned brightly. I could tell he was doing his best not to hug his mentor. Instead, he simply saluted, "It's been a honor, Batman Sir."
"Same to you."
Without another word, Dick sped towards the cave. We were all silent for a moment. I expected Bruce to say something, but he never did. He simply stared at my tea.
"Master Bruce," Alfred stepped closer, "You knew this day would come."
Bruce nodded, "Of course, Alfred, of course. He is his own man."
Bruce would never admit it, he did a great job of hiding it, but I have lived with this man for eight years. I knew when he had the tiniest hint of pride in his voice.
"It's not like he's leaving. He'll still be around, but, he just won't be Robin. Right?" I asked.
Bruce glanced up at me. Alfred nodded, "Of course, Miss Lucille. Master Dick would never truly leave us."
"We are his family, after all," I added.
Alfred nodded again before taking the dishes into the kitchen. Silence filled the room once again. I thought about leaving just as Bruce broke the silence.
"What about you?"
"What?" I asked.
He gazed at me, "You are an adult as well, and you have every right to step out from being Barbara's partner."
I felt my cheeks flush. Truthfully, I had never thought about that. Dick had spoken about it, even Barbara had brought it up, but I never thought of leaving my comfortable life as Blitz.
I suppose I should. I mean, I've changed a lot as well. I was no longer the scared ten-year-old. At eighteen, I was very different. I suppose I was braver, faster, stronger, but I was also happier. I grew taller, my nightly escapades grew muscles.
Then again, I wasn't much different. I still had the same haircut, the same mind, the same eyes, I was still Lucille.
I was still Blitz.
But, would I be Blitz forever? Would the electric sidekick of Batgirl be me forever?
"I never thought about it before," I muttered, "I-I suppose you're right. I mean, things change, right? Most of the time for the better."
Bruce nodded, "It is entirely up to you."
"I-I-I'm going to go talk to Dick."
Spinning on my heel, I hurried out the room. The thought of moving on from the family I've grown to love flustered me. YEt, at the same time, in thrilled me.
Imagine, me, being my own hero, my own boss. I could fight whoever I wanted, and do whatever I wanted. The world would be at my fingertips! I've done it once before, surely it wouldn't be any harder.
Dick was in the Batcave, next to the sewing machine Alfred generally used to patch our costumes. He was gently sewing an inside-out suit. I came up behind him, "Nightwing, seriously?"
"I think it sounds cool," he said.
I laughed, "Bitch, it mightwing."
"Shut up."
"Oh, don't be a fightwing."
"Lucy-"
"Careful, you'll give me a frightwing."
"No matter how many puns you make," he smirked, "I'm still going to use it."
I leaned against a nearby railing, "Whatever you say, Nightwing."
I have to admit, the more I said it, the more it became sort of catchy. The name actually had a bit of a ring to it.
"I'm surprised Bruce reacted so well," I commented.
Dick smiled, "I'm not. You haven't know him as long as me, I expected exactly what he did."
I shook my head. Dick was so focused on his costume, I swear his eyes were about to jump out of his head. I have expected him to start humming.
"What about you?" he asked.
I lifted an eyebrow, "What about me?"
"Are you going to do it too?"
I hesitated. The pros and cons were weighing in my head. I didn't know what to think. Most of all, I didn't know who I wanted to become.
"I don't know," I replied, "I've never thought about life beyond Blitz."
Dick spared a glance at me, "Yes, you did. Remember, we talked about it before."
I furrowed my eyebrows, "I remember."
That night, a lot of things were said. We were kids, I was nearly twelve. Back then, I was still revelling in being Batgirl's sidekick.
"I said I wanted to retire," I sighed, "I said I wanted to go to college and get my degree."
Dick nodded, "And are you?"
I stopped. That life sounded nice. Hanging up my Shockers, and re-entering the world as no one but Lucille Brimsey. I think that would be the life Mama and Papa would want for me. Mama always talked about her hopes for me for college. Following that life would mean following their dream for me.
But, I had found so much in this life. Fighting crime was fulfilling. It made me feel like I had a purpose in this world. Saving people was like a drug, once you do it once, you can never go back.
Something was missing, I always knew that. Since the day I first put on the costume, there has been an unfillable hole in my soul. Somehow, deep down, I knew this was the way to fill it.
"You know," I smiled, "I just think I might."
"I knew you would," Dick replied.
I smiled. Something in this plan told me it was perfect. Even now, I could feel the hole slowly filling up. Pretty soon, I'd be fulfilled.
"Are you going to move out of The Manor?" I asked.
Dick nodded, "If I'm ever going to get out from under Bruce's shadow, I have to get away from him."
"Not permanently, right?"
"Of course not," Dick glanced up at me, "You guys are my family, I couldn't leave you. I'll still visit."
I smiled. He turned back to his sewing. As I watched him, I thought over his words. He was right, if we ever wanted to leave this life, we had to really and truly leave it. That meant I had to move out of The Manor, and I knew just how to do it.
I left Dick to his sewing. Nearing the secret exit of the cave, I pulled out my phone and hit one of the few speed dials. Within seconds, the recipient answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Barbara," I smiled, "Remember when you were looking for a roommate?"