Nightwing #23 "The Three Faces"

Written By Mick Edwards

RECAP: After the fall of Blockbuster, Mayor Soames placed a new official legislation into law called the Anti-Vigilante Displacement act. Making metas and non-powered vigilantes fugitives of justice within the city limits of Blüdhaven. With the help of Special Agent Cisco Blaine, and the full power of the FBI; a new task force was integrated into the Blüdhaven Police Department known as the Crime Prevention Squad. Meanwhile, Nightwing found himself betrayed by his information broker Oracle who agreed with Special Agent Blaine's plans to save Blüdhaven. He also discovered Blaine had a sample of his DNA, which would allow him to uncover his identity, so he fled in an effort to protect his identity and find a way to protect Blüdhaven from the new menace that threatens it.

I knew once I pulled up in the night bird that something was amiss. The doors to the old gymnasium were wide open, and Bette's bags were on the front steps. Something was clearly on her mind, and I didn't know what. I didn't really care either. My main concern was dethroning Soames, and bringing an end to the corruption in Blüdhaven. But, when I saw her eyes with massacre running down them. I began to think that maybe I should be so cold hearted.

"What's a matter?" I asked, and she slapped me across the face.

"You bastard!" she said, and pulled back her hand. "Do you think I'm some whore?"

"What are you babbling about?" I said, and rubbed my left cheek. "You threw yourself at me."

She threw a punch directed right at my face, I caught it, but the knee to my nut sack I didn't catch. I fell to the ground, my manly bits telling me I made a big mistake. She walked by me, and tossed her bags in the red corvette of hers. I bit back the pain, and climbed to my feet.

"Elizabeth, wait!"

"You just call me, Elizabeth?" she said, and I could see she wasn't thrilled. "After you fucked me knowing full well you have a girlfriend?"

It was then I realized why she was mad. Bridget. And I felt like decking myself. How could I have left that picture in the mirror? But, then I've never been mister smooth.

"I'm sorry -- she's some one I care about; that I love."

"Yeah," she said, and it was in a cocky manner. Her anger I suppose was justified. But, I don't believe Bridget should be brought into this.

"Bridget has nothing to do with what happened last night."

"Doesn't it?"

She waited for me to respond with her head cocked to the side. I grabbed her shoulders, but she pushed me away.

"Look," I said, "I need you, but not in the way that happened last night."

"What was last night, Rickie?"

"I-I don't know."

She looked away for a moment, and I thought I saw a shed of a tear. But, then she looked me in the eyes. "I'll do your damn job for you, but there will be no more training."

I wanted to protest, but I could tell she didn't want to be around me. She backed away, and got into her car. I stayed behind looking at the old gymnasium that I bought from Al Milgrom. A former loan shark in Blüdhaven who wanted to get out because things had changed too much in the haven, and he was afraid for his family. I then looked at the dust trail left by Elizabeth's car, and I lower my head.

Blockbuster:

Nightwing, how I loath you. Your presence has destroyed my life, my empire, and my family. As I trudge through the fog of Gotham's china town. I think about all of the devilish things I will do you and yours. Then my right hand points me out to the man we are supposed to meet. He's dressed in a blue komino with a black dragon across the front of it. He bows, and greets us.

"You are Desmond, yes?"

I nod, and he smiled.

"Good, follow me."

I trailed behind with my men securely placed awaiting orders. But, I don't need them. My strength is enough, and I am too careful to draw the attention of the Bat. The little man stops, and motioned to a small shop. I lower my head as we enter. In the back sits a blind man with blond hair cut short. He's the only one there at the table. I figure he has his men stationed somewhere close by.

"So, the most famous of the Blockbusters comes to greet little old me."

I sit down in front of him. The chair creaking under my weight. A cigar is offered to me, but I refuse it. King Snake smiles, and takes a sip of his tea.

"Though, I am blind Desmond; I have learned through great training to enhance my senses."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," he said, and I watched him take another sip. "I know your men are nearby, and my men were sent to ferry them out."

I laugh, and an incredulous look formed on his face.

"What's so funny?"

"I surmised that is what you had done," I said, and crack my knuckles. "I don't need mercenaries to destroy you."

He smirked, but asked me the looming question anyways.

"Why are you here?"

"To rebuild, and destroy."

"Rebuild your empire, eh?" he said, "who are you going to destroy?"

"Who else," I said, and grinned darkly. "if you just hand over your forces, I won't have to kill you to do so."

He laughed out loud, and I allowed him this moment of disrespect. But, then as I moved the table out of our way. He stood up, and got face to face with me. His other four senses aiding him in ways that compensate for his inability to see.

"Fuck with me, Desmond, and you'll end up dead."

A bell rung, and his men returned; behind me the little man who led me to the shop shut the door. I let them see what they were about to deal with by casting off my long cloak, and fedora. Each one of the men gathered paled at the sight of me. Already my height was above normal; a seeming gigantism. But, when they saw me in my glory. They knew fear. King Snake pointed at me, and I could see his smile. He had no idea how afraid I had just made his men. And he said the words he would later regret in the afterlife.

"Kill him!"

I moved closer to King Snake, and not a single one moved. He could hear my heavy breathing. I could almost imagine what it sounded like to him; like a hammer striking an anvil with a piece of hot iron laid upon it.

"Such a pity," I said, as I snapped his neck; the noise sounding reminiscent of a popped bottle cap. All looked at me as their leader hit the ground, and I punched my fist.

"Who is next?"

They all got on their knees, and bowed to my physical magnificence.

Bridget:

How alone does a girl have to be in a horrible city like this. Everyday, it's the same thing. I go to work keeping this shoddy building up, and running. Then spend my afternoon hours studying. I miss Rickie, but I bury it. He left me behind, and I hate him for it. His reasoning was that I was safer in this hell hole.

I think he just wanted to run away; he gave up the fight. But, then when I lie down to go to sleep at night, I know it's not true. He left me behind because it was only the way he knew I'd be safe. The police have ramped up their patrols. The CPS was really doing everything Soames said it was, and yet there seemed to be a darkness building within the streets. Silent, and deadly. Monsters lurked in this darkness, and it wasn't safe to be outside anymore. I begin to wish Rickie was here. He -- He kept Blüdhaven safe despite the odds against him. I wrap my arms around myself as I lie on the couch in my apartment. We had not had the chance to talk about living arrangements. Not with that bitch who showed up on the window sill. What was her name? Helga? Helena?

After that we just argued. We never got a chance to calm down, and sort things out. I love him, I know that; but does he feel the same about me?

I turn over, and wipe a tear from my eye. Rickie, be safe.

Elizabeth:

Damn him! I love him, and I hate him at the same time, but the way he betrayed me. It was; it was just not right. I mean, yeah, the sex was great, but I thought he reciprocated because he felt what I had felt. But, no...he didn't feel a damn thing. He was just thinking with his dick like all men do. Sometimes I wonder why god even created men. Just give us a vibrator, and we're happy.

Men...

I could feel myself seething, but when I started to enter the Blüdhaven city limits. I tried to reign in my temper. Dick wanted me to train more before sending me in. I couldn't; not with all of the sexual tension between us. I'd be throwing myself at him again, and making a fool of myself again as well. I slipped my new costume on. A present from an uncle of mine who used to work in the military, and now owns a military surplus store. I used the grapnel shaped in a bird's motif, and scaled the walls to the roof. Then bounded from roof to roof as I made my first patrol in Blüdhaven. The city seemed quiet, and not so bad. What is it that Dick fears? Then I notice car stop in front of two armed robbers. The robbers are nuts firing at the car. I pull a bird-a-rang from my glove, and go to toss it, but then I notice the car is armored. A taser charge takes both of the robbers down, and out comes two police officers with their guns drawn. I linger for moment, and watch as these officers put the robbers in the back of the car. I put my bird-a-rang away.

And I begin to think Dick was jerking me around, and I turn to leave. When I hear gun shots. I turn around, and the body of one of the robbers hangs out of the back seat of the passenger side. I realized then as the cop popped a bullet in the other robber what it was that Dick had sent me here to prevent.

Captain Rohrbach:

Mrs. Desmond's plans are going smoother than even she would have believed. Already, I have weeded out members of the CPS who could not be brought on board the master plan, and taken in the department as the leading force of Blockbuster's insurrection. All of my trusted officers are affiliates that only that the Desmond clan knew of, and no one else. Each one of them carries out my orders. Keep the peace, weed out the uncontrollable. With Agent Blaine distracted on his federal business, and me left to run things. I can't see how even Nightwing could stop the coming tide. And that is what I fear most.

I look at my hands, as they tremble. The blood I vomit is not because of morning sickness. It is because of a sickness in my soul. I start to believe I am dying. But, I hide it because I know what it means to keep my kids protected. The things Desmond, and his mother would do if I betrayed them is enough to insure my loyalty, and silence; yet in the end, I fear it will not be long before I must make a deal with another devil. The metaphysical one.

NEXT ISSUE: The Infiltrator

NEVERMORE:

I felt this issue should be more introspective than previous issues. I know there are detractors to the first person style, but I had to see if I could do it for an entire issue. Because it's been a while, and I've improved since the last time I did it.

-Mick