Helena

Prologue

John Blake stared down at Gotham City's busy streets, the wind blowing in his hair. The moon's bright light cast shadows around him.

The blue bird painted on his light kevlar suit reflected the yellow tinge of the street lights far below him. His electrically-charged escrima sticks buzzed at his sides. It had been five years since he had been thrown into the fight during the War for Gotham where a masked man named Bane threatened to blow the city sky high. Five years since he had left the Gotham City Police force, determined to fight for justice without corruption. Five years since the Batman, or as John knew him, Bruce Wayne, had sacrificed himself to save the city and three damn years since he had put on the mask and became Nightwing. Now he was a household name across the United States, publicly know as Gotham's next Batman. He had Barbara 'Babs' Gordon or Batgirl, his partner in crime and the love of his life.

Few people knew his true identity other than Commissioner Jim Gordon, the most honest man Gotham had ever known, Lucius Fox, Wayne Enterprises CEO and Bat-tech supplier, and Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's family butler and father-figure. John was pretty sure Selina Kyle, aka The Cat, knew his alias. She had heroically helped The Batman save Gotham and become Bruce's great love. She had not been spotted for the last five years and those who knew her say she "just disappeared!". John didn't worry about her. She wasn't one to snitch, especially about anything Batman-related.

Suddenly, John heard a small sound coming from the other side of the roof. He spun around, taking a fighting stance and activating his escrima sticks in his hands. There was a slight, silent movement in the dark before a tiny figure appeared. It was a small girl, looking to be around four or five, with a small brown braid that reached down to her shoulders. She wore a dark coat over a soft lilac dress. The girl smiled. Something oddly familiar flickered in her eye.
"Hi!" She said, walking over to stand next to John. "I knew I wasn't the only one who liked the sunset."
The girl pointed out at the harbour, where the sky was painted a beautiful rainbow of yellows, oranges and reds that flickered on the water.
"It is pretty, isn't it." John agreed, looking at the child in bewilderment. How the hell had she managed to sneak up here? This was a heavily guarded building, full of security guards and cameras.
"I like your suit." The girl said, looking up at the blue bird on his chest.
"Thanks." He smiled and continued. "What's your name?"
"Mummy told me not to tell strange men my name" She smiled, letting out an adorable sneeze and quickly wiping her nose.                                                                                                                                            "Your mummy's smart." John mumbled, looking out over the harbour.                                                       "But she and Daddy told me I can trust you. My name is Helena." She said, looking up at John.      "Nice to meet you, Helena. I'm Nightwing." John said, offering his alias to the girl.                                 Helena giggled.                                                                                                                                                                      "That's not a name, John!" She laughed.

All of a sudden, another figure appeared on the rooftop. It was a woman in a dark summer dress and wide brimmed hat that, once again, John found familiar.                                                                          "Helena! I told you not to go running away from Mummy and Daddy like that, sweetie." She exclaimed.                                                                                                                                                                                Helena turned and smiled.                                                                                                                                                "Sorry, Mummy!" She said, cheerfully running into her mother's open arms.                                            "Sorry about that, sir." The woman said. 

"No, no problem, ma'am. Your daughter's quite interesting!" John laughed.                                            "She is, isn't she." The woman sighed warmly.

John turned back to the sunset when it hit him. That girl had said his name! His real name! Not once in their conversation had he mentioned his name, not once.                                                                "Wait! Ma'am!" He exclaimed, swiveling back to face the pair. But they were gone, without a trace. John hadn't even heard them leave. He sighed. 

Only one women he knew of other that Barbara could disappear like that. And only one girl could know his name. 

Pressing a hand to his ear, he activated his com-link.                                                                                            "Babs, hey! We have a slight situation."