AUTHOR'S NOTE: That's right – here's the final "chapter" or one shot. Thanks to all the readers and their reviews! I appreciate it – even the critiques. It helps me grow as a writer. But, that being said, I am totally happy with this story and I wouldn't change it. :)

…...

Thoughts

Memory/Past

…...

A New Hero

The night sky was clear. The air was warm and smelled faintly of summer. Or at least, it would have smelled of summer had Dick Grayson not be standing on a roof top in the middle of Gotham. It had been a year since Deathstroke first attacked Robin. He was on the same roof top that the killer had attacked him on, one year earlier. So many things had changed in that year.

Dick was no longer Robin. He gave it up the night, a few months back, when Deathstroke was caught. He had been tired of being hunted by the killer and he had suggested to Batman that they needed to draw the killer out. Make Deathstroke meet them in their terms. Originally, the plan was for Kid Flash and Batman only to be Robin's back up. Of course, once other heroes, both on Justice League and Young Justice, had found out, others wanted to be involved. The end result? A lot of heroes were present for capturing the killer. Over kill? Sure. To be fair, it was Deathstroke who first involved the Justice League. He should have expected that they would see it through to the end.

There is a sense of irony, Dick thought, as he glanced down at the new suit. Deathstroke wanted me to give up being Robin and I did.

The first thing to go? The cape. Deathstroke had used it once too often against Robin and Dick wasn't going to have that weakness be present in his new costume. He had also eliminated the bright colors. The suit the young man now wore was mostly a grayish black. The only color in the whole costume was the blue bird on the teenager's chest and that had been an add on after he had decided on his name.

The dark haired teenager had given up his bo staff. The staff, while a good weapon, was easily taken from him. Again, Deathstroke demonstrated that with their first and last battle. Dick needed a different weapon. One that was smaller and could both defend and attack. And the dark haired teenager had found that weapon with the eskrima sticks.

The biggest change of all was the new name. For seven years, he had gone by Robin. Now, that name belonged to another. Jason, Dick's adopted brother, was now working with Batman. Jason was proving himself, though Dick did have some concerns regarding how headstrong the young teen could be. Jason also tended to challenge Batman more than Dick ever did. Given enough time, Dick was sure that Jason would be a great Robin.

Dick debated multiple names. But with every name, he knew it wasn't the right one. Then he remembered a story that Clark Kent had told him when he was a child...

"Dick, did I tell you about the story of Flamebird and Nightwing?" asked Clark.

The reporter for the Daily Planet was working in the kitchen, making a snack with the 10 year old. Bruce was in the living room, on the phone. It was rare that Bruce would bring Dick to Metropolis to spend time with Clark, but Dick's birthday was in a few days. Bruce had relented, but the visit would only be a single day. Bruce said it would give him a chance to visit the Wayne offices located in Metropolis. They had just spend the morning and most of the afternoon at the offices.

The boy was sitting at the kitchen table while the dark haired reporter was checking on the brownies in the oven. They had made the brownie mix together, though Clark had been the one to put the pan in the oven. When Dick had said he battled criminals at night, he could handle an oven, Clark had just told the boy to humor him.

"Nope," replied the boy. "Is the story from Krypton or Earth?"

"Krypton," replied Clark, as he smiled at the boy. "And, since we have some time before the brownies are ready..."

"Ok," said Dick, as he smiled back.

Clark leaned against the counter, next to the oven. "Flamebird was a Krptonian God. Her job was to refresh the world by burning down the creation made by her brother, Vohc."

"Whoa! Didn't that make him angry?" asked Dick, eyes wide.

"Nope," replied Clark with a smile. He checked the timer on the microwave before turning back to the boy at his table. "Actually, he was grateful to her. It allowed him to make new things. Nightwing was Vohc's friend and he wanted to meet Flamebird. When the two met, they fell instantly in love."

"Yuck," replied Dick, curling his lip.

Clark laughed. "One day you won't think it's gross for two people to love each other."

"We'll see," replied the boy.

The timer dinged and Clark grabbed a pot holder. He opened the oven and removed the brownies. He placed the brownies on the stove top and turned off the oven.

"Clark, why are you using the pot holder?" asked the boy.

"For safety," replied the reporter.

"But, the pan won't burn you," persisted Dick.

"And what happens, if somehow, someone saw me handle a hot pan without the pot holder?" asked Clark.

"Oh, right," said Dick sheepishly. "So, it's a romance? The story of Flamebird and Nightwing?"

"Well," replied the dark haired man. "Vohc also loved Flamebird and he was jealous of Nightwing's relationship with her. He ended up betraying them both and they were killed. So, the story is kind of sad. But, Flamebird and Nightwing would always be reborn and find each other again. So, you could also say it's a hopeful story. A story of second chances."

"Too complicated for me," quipped Dick. The boy looked at the brownies on the stove. "Umm, are the brownies ready yet?"

When it was time to decided on a new name, Dick kept coming back to the story of Flamebird and Nightwing. The name of Nightwing resonated with the young man. Just like Nightwing, Dick's life had been ruined by someone else. And, like Nightwing and Flamebird, Dick had an opportunity for a second chance. A new start. So, it was from that story that Dick had taken his new identity.

Dick had created a new costume, a new name, and mastered new weapons. In fact, the only thing that remained the same was the domino mask that protected his real identity. It was the only thing he had kept from his life as Robin. He glanced once more around the city.

"Nightwing? Are you reading me?"

He raised a hand to the comm in his ear. "This is Nightwing. What's wrong, Aqualad?"

There was tension in the voice of Young Justice's leader. "Bell Reve has reported a break out. Nearly 12 hours ago. Deathstroke is among those who escaped."

For a moment, Nightwing said nothing.

"Nightwing, did you hear me?" asked Aqualad.

"I heard. Thanks," said Nightwing, before he dropped his hands and disconnected with Aqualad.

Taking a deep breath, Nightwing took out his grappling line and shot off, heading toward a new roof. He would worry about Deathstroke later.

He had other things to worry about than to make me his priority, thought the hero. Though I know we will meet again.

…...

On a different roof top, less than a block from where Nightwing had stood, another man used the shadows to cloak himself. His dark suit blended well with the shadows. In fact, unless you knew where to look, you would miss him. He would have been completely invisible, except for the mask. Sometimes, when the light shifted, an orange and black mask could be seen. And the man's gaze was locked on the roof top that Nightwing had just been standing on.

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please see the sequel: Revenge.