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Tim doesn’t understand what happened; everything was fine. They heard from everyone, even Jason had safely gone underground. The only one they didn’t hear from was Dick. Their mistake was that they assumed he was fine. That’s usually everyone’s mistake though, right? Assuming the great Dick Grayson was fine.
Kon and Cassie are beside him, Bart isn’t too far away from him either. They’re on their way to meet up with some league members that managed to go underground. Tim is anxious to meet up with his brothers. He heard from Batman that Damian had gotten into a scrap with Atmoica before him and Jon got underground. It’s not that he’s worried about Atomica being able to beat Damian- No. He’s not worried about that.
But this…
This broadcast will drive Damian insane; Tim is hardly holding onto his own sanity watching it. Two of his superpowered best friends are holding him down. They think they’re being subtle, that he can’t feel they’re holding him with a little more strength than they normally do. He can only imagine how Jon is keeping Damian calm. Kon moved in front of Tim, trying to obscure the screen.
It’s too late, the image is burned into Tim’s memory.
The Lasso of Submission, glowing like the North Star, wrapped around his oldest brother. If there’s one thing Dick Grayson knows how to do better than breathing, it’s manipulation. Right now, he can tell his brother is bothering Superwoman by resisting her damned Lasso. The anger in her eyes runs deeper than the Mariana Trench. Ultraman is speaking, but Tim can’t hear the sad imitation of Superman. Not until Kon turns to him and Cassie.
“The people of Earth here sit one of your greatest heroes, he will serve as an example. An example of what will happen to all those who fight against us. I know it’s a human characteristic to hope, you poor creatures can’t help yourselves. I wish I could say I feel badly for your predicament, but that would be a lie. Your heroes have fled from the battle, leaving this helpless human to be your representative.” Ultraman’s voice boomed across the speakers, across the world.
“He fought for your lives, your world well. Do not fault him for his humanity, he was never going to be able to stop us.” Ultraman had the nerve to look out at the sea of scared individuals with pity. Tim could see the apathy from thousands of miles away. Fear's icy drip around his heart is painful, but he can’t tear his gaze away from the screen.
The beautiful blue bird, once so proudly shining against the matte black of his brother’s suit, is now decapitated and covered in crimson. The extended cut wasn’t shallow; Tim could have fooled himself into thinking he could see his brother’s heart underneath it all. Superwoman pulled at the Lasso; she demanded something from Dick. His brother gritted his teeth and pulled his head away from the cameras. Dick never was one to just give a villain what they want the first time they ask.
“Come now, human. The world wants to see their hero.” Ultraman laughed, he gripped Dick’s hair tightly and pulled back harshly. Blood rushed out of Dick’s nose, out of his mouth. His smile never looked so disgusting before.
Bart shoved something in his hand, Tim gripped onto it tightly. As Ultraman started another long, bullshit monologue about taking over the world, Tim looked at the object now in his hand. A phone was placed in his tight grip. Tim put the phone to his ear without looking at the caller ID.
“Tim…” Names are forbidden on communication line, but Tim can’t bring himself to berate the other.
“Tim, don’t look.” The voice demanded; Tim thought about their request, his gaze still locked on the fuzzy television.
“How can I look away?” Tim asked Jason quietly.
“By knowing he wouldn’t want you to see him like this. If this is it for him, he wouldn’t want you and Damian to see it.” Jason said harshly.
“I can’t abandon him now.” Tim responded, he dropped the phone to the floor and ignored the yelling of his name.
“Your perfect hero underestimated us, now he stands before you ready to be tried for his crimes against us.” Ultraman said loudly; Dick muttered something from his knees. The fake mask Ultraman used slipped away for a moment.
“Speak louder, the people want to hear their champion.” Ultraman let go of Dick’s hair. The bird in blue laughed from the ground. Superwoman gripped her Lasso tightly.
“I said I’m everything but perfect. I don’t know who keeps lying to you dumbass villains. I never once said I was perfect, everyone else said it for me.” Dick chuckled. Atomica grew and tried to stomp up to the hero, Johnny Quick stopped her.
“Clear, you’re bleeding imperfection. Now if you have nothing intelligent to say, I suggest you stay quiet.” Ultraman threatened the beaten bird.
“Or what?” Dick antagonized the Kryptonian.
‘Shut up, Dick! Stop talking!’ Tim pleads in his mind.
“You’ll kill me? Aren’t we already headed there?” Dick asked smugly. Nightwing kneels before the world, stoic as can be. Despite the blood flowing down his face, he is showing no weakness. His limbs don’t shake, his voice doesn’t waver, there are no tears to fight for the spotlight against the rivers of blood running down his cheeks. Even his smile is stronger and brighter than ever before.
“Keep up the banter and I won’t allow you to say goodbye. I control how soon you die; how does it feel?” Ultraman shoved Nightwing to the ground. His superhuman strength slightly pressing into Dick’s back with his boot.
“Like I’m right at home. You’re not the first to threaten my life. You’re all the same to me, ugly and wrinkly. Where’d you get your skin routine, the 1500s?” Dick stopped himself from groaning in pain.
“You should be ashamed, hero. Stealing another cultures myth and parading around with a God’s name.” Ultraman spit on the wounded hero.
“I suppose you aren’t surprised, Nightwing always was a tragic creature.” Ultraman removed his boot from the hero’s back.
“Take him.” Ultraman ordered. Superwoman and Grid grabbed the broken hero and pulled him offscreen.
“In a few moments, you will see proper justice. A man who thought he could defeat Gods, a man who wrongly assumed he could walk all over us. Justice will be served here. It will also serve as a reminder to anyone stupid enough to call themselves a hero.” Ultraman addressed the masses.
“This criminal will be unmasked before you all. He will be given a chance to say goodbye, then he will be terminated.” Ultraman spoke plainly, as if bored with this broadcast now.
The camera angle changes as Superwoman and Grid push Nightwing down center stage. Back on his knees, Grid held Nightwing’s hair tightly while Superwoman grabbed the edge of his mask. As soon as she touched it, the mask's defenses went off. Shocking the woman’s hand. It wasn’t a high enough voltage to hurt her, but it sure startled her for a moment. Hearing Johnny Quick behind them laughing at her, pissed Superwoman off.
“Sorry, if it makes you feel better sometimes that happens to me too.” Dick chuckled; Superwoman did not find that funny. Now better equipped with knowledge of what happens when you touch the mask, she gripped the edge and ripped it off the hero’s face. Tim winced knowing how much that must have hurt. He can see red spots on Dick’s face from where their special mask adhesive was left on for far too long.
Dick’s face.
That’s Dick’s face the world is looking at.
“Many of you know this man as Nightwing, a small portion of you know him for who he really is. Richard “Dick” Grayson has been parading as your hero, as your champion.” Ultraman informs the world.
Dick gives the camera his best thousand-watt smile. It’s not as warm and comforting as it usually is with his won blood coating his teeth. The camera zooms in on the tortured man, whoever is controlling the camera isn’t very smart. They zoomed too far in showing a very clear image of Dick’s teeth to the world. They zoomed out a little bit and tried to find the sweet spot to capture the suffering that Dick refuses to show them.
All Tim sees is his older brother, bloody and bruised. Nightwing is a pillar the world isn’t ready to lose. Yet, Tim sees as the crowd murmurs amongst themselves at the reveal. Without being near the crowd, Tim can hear the harsh or inappropriate words they have for his brother. Dick doesn’t let this phase him; his gaze is cold as ice as it looks upon the crowd. Still, he smiles like it’ll be the last time the world will ever see him.
“Say goodbye, human.” Ultraman says cruelly.
“You said my name once; you can say it again before I die.” Dick matched defiantly.
“I’ll humor you just this once. Say goodbye, Richard Grayson.” Ultraman condescending tone makes Tim’s blood boil. The camera focused on Dick’s smile; the world zeroes in on it as the crowd becomes silent. Tim knows what’s coming, he’s just not ready for it.
“Robins… We were never meant to be Batman; we were never meant to become him. We became the best parts of Batman split into five unique people.” Dick started his goodbye.
“The voice of the voiceless, the one who could always put the pain of others above his own. The savior of the people who lost their faith in the Bat Signal in the sky. Hood, you care so much more than you realize. The people see you; the kids believe in you. The Dark Prince of the Underground, you wear the pride of Gotham on your shoulders. Don’t let the world forget your name.” Dick knows his brother got the message; he knows they’re all watching.
“The most determined detective I’ve ever known, a true born hero. You have people you can lean on, don’t let this loss consume you. The people of Earth know your name because of the actions you make, not the company you keep. You’re a warrior in your own right, a staple in this world’s survival. You are loved and respected, more than you could ever know.” There’s no one else in Tim’s world right now. All he can see is his brother on the screen, almost as clearly as if he was there.
“You are loved and respected, more than you could ever know.” Tim hears the whisper in his ear as clear as day. Tim knows he’s loved; his parents loved him, Bruce and Alfred love him, Bernard loves him, his friends, his family… Tim knows he’s loved, but it hurts him more hearing his brother tell him that now.
“A survivor that made it her mission to help others despite the negativity all around her. Becoming a fighter that bends the evil of the world down to its knees. With an iron will, you carved your own heroic path and stayed compassionate to the victims of villains. Staying caring to those that are victims of people who call themselves heroes but prove themselves to be anything but a hero. The preservation of justice is strong within your heart.” Stephanie worked hard to claim her place amongst the greatest heroes Gotham has ever seen. Despite the people who claim otherwise, Stepanie was a damn good Robin and Dick never let her forget it.
“The Robin who was born from two different types of darkness, the one with the valor of a God and the heart of a legend. You are growing into a better leader than I ever was. You and your team are the future of this world. This world is in damn good hands. Whatever comes next for me, I will be at peace knowing this world has you here to protect it. We all have battles we need to fight; you will always be victorious. It may not seem like it at the time, but there is always a light to focus on; even on the darkest nights.” Dick promises the youngest Robin. Tim is glad he’s not in the same room as Robin now.
“Oracle, my oldest friend… You’ve put up with a lot because of me, but I don’t regret any of our adventures together. You took someone who was drowning in grief and showed that weird little kid how to have fun again. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met, knowing you made me push myself to my limits repeatedly. I won’t say goodbye to you, though, to any of you. We’ll meet again in another life and cause as much chaos as we did here in this lifetime.” Dick chuckled. A quick glance at Ultraman told him that the Kryptonian was getting bored with him.
“There’s so much more to say, but my time is cutting close. Signal, you were never meant to be a Robin because you are of a new age. You’re just like a beautiful new sunrise for Gotham, a hero who brings innovation to justice. You are someone all heroes can count on. Just don’t forget to set some boundaries, don’t be afraid to take some time for yourself. There’s a whole world out there for you to explore and so many new friends for you to meet. Never stay comfortable; your next adventure is always around the corner.” Dick smiled at the camera. He just has two more people he needs to address.
“Black Bat, what is there to say that you don’t already know? There was a time when I acted as your voice; now I must ask you to return the favor. There’s a leader in you that needs her time to shine. The heroes around you will benefit not only from your experience but from your mercifulness. You’re destined for great and wonderful things; you just need to believe in your own abilities. I know you’re scared of the things you see sometimes; that is a strength, not a weakness.” Dick knows that if Cassandra is watching, she can tell from his gaze how much they all mean to him.
“Together, we are all Batman; we all have the best parts of what Batman stands for within us.” Tim can see when Dick starts to panic; Ultraman starts walking toward him with Power Ring by his side.
“Dad! I love-”
Tim doesn’t register the screaming around him until it becomes deafening. His knees hit the floor next to his phone; he thinks he hears Jason yelling his name. There’s a wildfire in his throat, but nothing will ever be louder than the sound of his oldest brother’s head hitting just before center stage. Another loud thump came as Nightwing’s body followed close behind. Hands grabbed him from behind, but he can’t look away from the screen. The now headless body is sputtering blood, a dark abyss forming on the chosen stage. Tim didn’t notice when the television was shut off, once again another image was burned into his mind.
One thing is for sure…
Tim hates the color red.