Simple (Nightwing Fanfic)

Chapter Three

The blast echoed throughout the city as smoke flooded the air as if it was fog. Screams of citizens drowned out completely. Dick's ears rang as his vision swam. After gathering his bearings, right before he smacked the pavement, he was able to grapple and swing up towards the building across the street. He tumbled across the roof and laid sprawled on his back, staring at the blackened sky with his breathing rapid. Sirens rang through the streets and news vans appeared at the scene.

"It seems the apartment complex right here on Parkthorne had an explosion! Authorities believe it only came from a single room, apartment 9A, and only affected surrounding apartments on the level. We will continue to update you as we get more information."

After the adrenaline disappeared, Dick could feel the pain flood his whole body. He reluctantly stood up and reached for the com in his pocket, but suddenly it was destroyed by a bullet. Dick's head shot up and before him was Deathstroke.

"Slade, isn't this below your level of crime?"

"You left me no choice, Grayson. Desperate times call for desperate measures."

With this, Slade raised his gun and shot.

-Line Break-

"Father! Alfred! Get in here this instant!"

"Master Damien, you know better than to yell in the man-"

Alfred was cut off as his eyes settled on the news headline. They knew that apartment. Of course, they knew about where Dick was staying, but the fact that it was blown to pieces was alarming.

"Damien, contact Dick's phone. Alfred call Tim and Jason."

"What about you, father?"

"I'll be in the Batcave, contacting his com."

-Scene Change-

"This is Tim speaking..."

"Master Tim, I apologize for interrupting brother bonding, but it seems that Master Dick's apartment has exploded. Bruce wishes for assistance in Bludhaven."

"We're on it."

Tim hung up immediately and frantically changed into his gear as Jason walked into the room, messing with his hair.

"Uh... Last I checked, it's still day time, Replacement."

"Dick's apartment has been destroyed. We need to get to Bludhaven now!"

"Okay okay, there is a Zeta-Tube nearby, we can take it there."

Jason was a lot calmer than Tim, but internally he was becoming a mess. Dick may attract trouble, but it never got to the point where his civilian life was targeted, unless it was connected to his relations with Bruce. The pair, once ready, left the bunker and headed towards the Zeta-Tube, arriving in Bludhaven in a blink of an eye. Taking the rooftops, they landed on the building across the street from his apartment complex where a puddle of blood settled. Tim kneeled down and took a sample,

"We better find out who's this is."

Red Hood nodded and looked over to the scene. The smoke was lighter, but still quite prominent. Different government agencies were getting ready to enter the building and examine the scene, but before they could, the Justice League showed up.

"Leave this to us. It's safer."

Green Lantern, Batman, Flash, and other leaguers landed next to the two younger heroes as Superman commanded that they take over this scene.

"Red Robin, Hood, report."

"We just arrived, but I collected a blood sample. I have a bad feeling, Batman."

Batman gave a small grunt in response, examining it himself before saying into the com,

"Superman, examine the room with your x-ray vision. Martian Manhunter, the fire is clear, so assist Superman. Everyone else, evacuate the area of all civilians, they don't need to know of our work here."

As everyone got to work, Tim started on the blood sample with unnecessary help from Flash, who insisted, of course. As the result came in, Tim's breath got caught in his throat, looking for a way it could be wrong. Flash peered over his shoulder and spoke into the com, with hesitance,

"Guys... The blood on this rooftop belongs to Nightwing. It seems to have residue of a bullet."
(Author Note: Really don't know how that would work, but like work with it.)
"A bullet? Could it have been from the person who blew up his apartment in the first place?"

"That's seriously a stupid question, Hal. It was quite obvious."

"Shut up, Oliver."

"Would it be best for me to scan the room and get a possible timeline of the events?"

"Go ahead, J'onn."

Superman continued searching what was left of the apartment as J'onn did his thing. He couldn't exactly help seeing J'onn was the only one who could see it.

As he watched the apartment rebuild itself with a general red outline, a figure slipped into the building and placed the bomb before slipping out. About five minutes later, Dick walked into the room, setting his keys down, and that's when he noticed the bomb. He grabbed his domino mask, grappling hook, broke the window, and of course, fell as it exploded. J'onn followed the scene and saw Dick grapple to the building. When reaching the building, he saw the encounter between Slade and Dick, visibly flinching when the shot was fired.

"What did you see?"

Many of them grew confused especially since J'onn had ended up on the rooftop from where he was. Typically, he stayed in the same spot while in his mindscape.

"I saw many things, but all that I confirm is that this is way worse than we can believe."

"What's worse than him being dead?"

Jason's anger flooded through him, snapping the words without intending to.

"That he could possibly wish he was dead instead."

-Line Break-

Dick's eyes fluttered open and he looked around the room he was in, but of course, he couldn't see anything. Suddenly, bright lights came to life and the electricity buzzed above him. His eyes eventually adjusted and he examined himself. He felt a cloth around his abdomen and felt pain shoot up his body whenever he twisted ever so slightly.

"Glad you're awake. Once you finally obey me, we will have a lot of work to do."

Dick shot his head up and glared at the man before him,

"I already said my answer, but I'll say it again. I won't ever be Renegade again."

"Now, let's not be rash. Would you wish to taint Nightwing's title with blood or would you rather it be connected to Renegade? If I'm not wrong, you already have been previously accused of crimes you didn't commit."

"I won't have to taint either of them more than they already are, Slade. I won't because I'm not helping you. Nothing can convince me otherwise."

"What a shame..."

Slade kicked the cart of medical supplies until it was next to Dick. The threatening demeanor didn't scare Dick, or at least he didn't show it. He's been through a lot more, especially when he was a child fighting Gotham villains.

"Try your best, asshole."
~~~~~
And here's the next chapter! I've actually been writing a crap ton recently... Especially since I've just had a lot of inspiration. Despite that, I still get writer's block. Sksjsjsb
-MD
Future MD: Forgot to post this... oops.