A Renegade Knight

CHAPTER XIII

"Nightwing!" The cry came out of nowhere as the hero in question tumbled out of sight. Even as Batman watched in horror, Robin was moving, throwing himself over the edge after his brother, para-cape flowing out behind him.

It took all of Bruce's self control to stop himself from rushing to the edge.

There was a gasp to Bruce's side. He turned in time to see Deathstroke disappear, jumping across the rooftops and away from the heroes. Jason was groaning on the ground as Steph rolled off him. Clearly the mercenary had thrown the girl at the rogue Bat suddenly, noting correctly that Nightwing and Robin's actions had distracted the rest of the family.

"Batman!" This shout came from Red Robin. The teenager had run to the edge but hadn't jumped, clearly torn between jumping after his brothers or chasing down Deathstroke.

Batman thought quickly. Deathstroke had overstepped the line for the final time. He needed to be taken down before anyone else got hurt. But Dick was hurt, possibly fatally and Bruce would never forgive himself if he didn't help him.

Bruce had spent many years seeing putting his duty before his family. It had cost him so much.

Closing his eyes under his cowl, Bruce made the unpopular decision. One which, if he was wrong, would haunt him for the rest of his life.

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With a gasp, Nightwing forced his eyes open. He was exhausted, the weeks of torture finally catching up with him. His chest ached, every breath burning as he tried to roll off the twisted pile of metal and glass which was, until he landed on it, a perfectly good car. With a groan of pain he gave up, letting his body flop back down onto the wreck.

Looking up at the street light flickering about him, the hero tried to focus as the edges of his vision began to fade. Under the mask, Dick took note of his injuries. The bullet in his chest seemed to have missed all his vital organs. Normally, his chance of survival would be good. However, even as Dick lay still, he could feel his blood dripping out of him, his body going into shock much faster then it usually would. The lack of sleep and food from his imprisonment, as well as the mistreatment was playing its part in slowly killing him. With another sigh, Dick let his mind go blank, trying not to think of how his death would hurt his family. In the distance, the police sirens drew closer. There was a crunch of glass close by.

Slowly, Nightwing drew his eyes away from the light, looking at the figure as it drew near.

"Grayson." A voice muttered.

Dick sighed softly.

"Damian." He replied in a whisper.

The current Boy Wonder jumped up onto the car besides his brother. Even in Dick's fading sight, he could see the boy assess the situation.

"Idiot." The kid finally muttered, pressing his hand roughly on the wound as his free hand reached for Dick's, guiding it to the injury as well.

Working quickly, Damian tried to create a seal over his brothers bleeding chest, determined to keep as much blood from escaping as a constant stream of verbal abuse passed the boys lips.

"I can't believe you would do something so stupid." He growled, ignoring the gasp from his brother. "Well actually, I can. Damn it Nightwing, you are no use to me dead."