-Dick's POV-

"It's started. Everyone, it's started."

I furrowed my eyebrow. Quickly pulling up a radar, I traced Athena's exact location. She was standing on the Gotham main bridge. Apparently, she had hundreds of bodies behind her. As soon as I saw her form start to move, my stomach plummeted.

"Athena? Athena!?" I screeched. The line was dead for several agonizing seconds. Gallons of sweat gathered in my suit as I frantically swung through the skyline.

Finally, I heard the comforting static of the line being picked up. "Run, Dick. I'll meet you when I can." In the background, I heard some moments of fist against fist and Athena's sharp yelp. "I'm trying to lead them away, but they have split off into groups."

I clenched my fist. "Athena, you're outnumbered," I studied the radar like it was a test, "you need to escape and stop fighting!" I urged. I wasn't sure if she heard me, for there was no reply. Rolling my eyes, I picked up my speed. I was going so fast that I might've rivaled Wally.

Eventually, I caught up to Nightingale. She was surrounded by hungry assassins. They crowded around her like zombies, pressing her back to a wall as they closed in. As always, Athena was holding her own against them in an almost inhumanly good way. I could see her two katanas flash through the air. Swords clashed against swords. It was stressful to watch Athena fight.

I quickly touched down, dropping a smoke bomb. Snaking my arm around her waist, I pulled Athena up and away into the air. My line snapped us both hard through a window of a bakery. A large, old wedding cake broke our fall. I pressed Athena to my chest, rolling us multiple times to slow down our momentum.

I let go, her body flipping to the side of me. Both of our black suits were covered in white frosting. Athena jumped to her feet, staring down at me. "What're you doing?" She hissed. I stood up next to her.

"Athena, you were five minutes from getting dragged back to the Temple," I stated, not in the mood to argue with her. Athena sighed and nodded. I could see how much that fight had drained her. Unfortunately, we had a long way to go.

"Are the others in position, do you know?"

I shook my head. "I was already on patrol when I got your message. I would assume that the others were too."

"We have to be sure," Athena paced back and forth, pressing her hand to her com, "Batfamily, come in. Is everyone in position?"

Almost immediately, Tim answered. "Red Robin is in position, as well as Batgirl Zeta and Batwing. As far as I'm concerned, no assassins have approached the North or West. But I can see them moving this way."

"A large group of around thirty is heading your way, Red Robin," Stephanie responded, "I have -- and currently are -- fighting several of them. Will report later."

"Not many are entering via aircraft, though I have detected several small planes flying close towards Gotham that are unscheduled. I'll keep an eye out. I have been helping Red Robin and Batgirl Zeta along the way," Luke chimed in. At that moment, I saw him fly past through the window.

There was about twenty minutes of radio silence. "Assassins are breaking through slowly. I've joined Tim in the North and West," Kate said, "the second wave has approached."

I calculated data on my computer, using all available radar, satellite, and cameras to try and keep rolling footage on the assassin army. I was letting Athena deal with the communication as she fiddled with her weapons. As far as I could tell, we had lost the assassins, although Athena was sure that they had merely left us alone for the time being.

"Plane just dropped a small missile into a Gotham cafe downtown. I took it down, but two more replaced it. Batgirl Omega, help Batgirl Zeta, now!" Batwing screamed through the com, the sound of fighting clearly audible in the background. Athena gripped the side of her head tightly as if it would help her hear better.

"Assassins destroying outer city! Second wave in full swing!" Cassie responded back, running through traffic, by the sound of it.

Athena drove her fist through a four layer cake, exploding it to pieces all over the bakery. "Fuck!" She yelled in anger. I moved to join her at her side. She whipped her head to look at me. "Dick, we got to go help. The assassins are moving in! I can't just stay in this fucking bakery!"

I grabbed her arm. I could feel her pulse. It was beating faster than ever. I was going to give her an inspirational speech about how much I loved her when Bruce came in. Finally.

"Nightwing. Nightingale. Return to the main base. Right now." His voice was fleeting and serious, demanding our presence. Nightingale glanced down at where my fingers held her. She broke the connection, sliding her weapons back into place. A small, determined smirk arose on her face. For someone that had been full of so much anxiety, she sure was ready to get into the action.

We zipped through Gotham quickly. Despite Athena's protests, I managed to keep her from intercepting the other hero's during their fights. It was especially hard when we passed Tim. Him and Steph were back to back, holding off all the assassins they could. When they saw Athena and I zip overhead, some started to follow. However, Luke was already zooming after them, securing us a cleared escape.

Athena crashed through the waterfall yards before me. I brought up the rear, making sure no one had followed us. Inside, Bruce and Alfred were hard at work in front of the computer. The several, gigantic monitors were all occupied with some sort of different information on the attack, the city, and the assassins themselves as well as constant updates on the Family's progress.

Sprinting, Athena joined Bruce at the computer. "What're we doing?" She said, her tone full of anticipation. Bruce didn't even take his eyes off of the screen.

"You are going to stay here with Alfred and remain hidden during this attack," he answered, his decision final. Athena immediately protested.

"They're after me! I need to be out there! You need me!" She shouted in his ear.

Bruce whipped around. "Yes. I need you to stay safe as our bait. If you go out there and they capture you, we have no more leverage on them. If we keep you locked away, we can not only keep you safe, but also keep the bait safe if we need it," Bruce growled, "so, stay. Here."

He pushed up from his chair, his cape flying out behind him. Alfred took his place, manning the controls just as efficiently. Athena was steaming. Her gaze was aimed at the ground. I walked up beside her.

"It'll be okay," I smiled, bumping her shoulder.

She looked up at me, a sneer appearing. "I will not be put on the shelf for much longer, so you better do whatever Bruce orders you to do, quickly."

I nodded. I knew that underneath her rage and frustration was fear. Whether it was fear for Gotham, fear for the Family, or fear for us, I knew she was scared out of her mind. This was hard for her and I had no idea how to be there for her. I held her hand in mine. "We won't let them take you away again, Theeny. I promise you."

I felt her pulse slow a little. Her face remained in a glare, however. I saw a small twinkle in her eye, indicating that what I said had meant something to her. She tore her hand from mine, shoving me away from her. I staggered before catching my balance and running after Bruce.

-

By the time Bruce and I left the cave, the whole army had been deployed. The attack had officially been going on for two hours. Tim, Steph, Kate, and Cass had all gone silent on the radio after the third wave had rolled in. From what I knew, they were up to their necks in assassins. Apparently, some extra reinforcements had been called. The GCPD was helping heavily. The Bludhaven Police Department had also donated several SWAT officers. Tarantula, Monolith, and other miscellaneous heroes and vigilantes came over from Bludhaven to defend the city.

The fight was on. Blood was being spilled. I wasn't sure how everyone was doing. I knew that Luke had effectively destroyed all the small planes, but had one of his wings torn off and broke his wrist. He had stopped after the third wave to get himself patched up before taking to the skies again to fight the incoming helicopters. It was going well, from what I could see.

Everyone was extremely busy and occupied. Several officers had lost their lives. Against our wishes, so had many assassins. I could see their black bodies laying in the streets as Bruce and I drove through.

An assassin landed on top of the Batmobile. They gripped the hood of the car as Bruce accelerated. I would've laughed if the situation wasn't so dire. With ease, Bruce spun the tires. The assassin was flicked off. However, the spun slowed us down.

We slowed so much, in fact, that a whole crowd of assassins appeared out of no where. We were forced to get out of the car.

Bruce pressed the 'eject' button. With that action, the car expanded all its external parts, batting away any assassins that were in our direct vicinity. I pulled out my escrima sticks. Without any hesitation, the assassins bounded after us.

One tore into my back. I swatted it with my escrima stick, but the assassin dodged. I had forgotten just had trained these guys were. "Seems like Ra's improved your training since you lost your best fighter, huh?" I taunted.

This made them mad. Two more joined a fight against me with five against Bruce. Now that I had seen how they fought, it was easier for me to avoid their attacks. One of the assassins swung at me, but I slid under them then leaped over one of the others' kicks. I barely avoided the third one's uppercut. His knuckles grazed my ear, riding up the side of my head.

I backflipped away from them, giving myself some room and forcing them to close the distance. As soon as they did, I started swinging. My arms moved faster than they had ever before. My escrima sticks had electricity running through them. I managed to hit one of the assassins across their jaw, the jolts knocking them out cold.

I got lucky and got another hit on the original assassin, but that one was much stronger. They bounded back, swiping out my legs. I smirked. Athena had told me that Ra's rejected Jiu Jitsu most of the time as well and didn't like grappling that much. I, however, loved ground fighting. As soon as the assassin took me down, I knew I had the advantage. I wrapped the ankles around their back and barred their arms. With one punch, I broke several of their ribs. With a final attack, I headbutted. The assassin slumped. Their friend approached me, so I launched the original assassin into them.

Gaining another advantage, I seized my chance and advanced. The assassin shoved their friend off quickly, but not quickly enough. I triple flipped through the air, crashing down on their shoulders with my elbows. They crumpled to their knees with my weight. I kneed them in the chin. They grabbed my leg and chuckled me through the air, but my strike still stunned them. I wasted no time getting back up and dashing over.

I raised my escrima sticks, knocking them in the stomach and then across the face. Their face smashed against the concrete.

I looked up to see Bruce. He was talking to everyone through the com. I jogged over to join him. We had to keep moving. If we stayed in one place, more assassins would come after us.

Bruce and I had a mission. We were looking for Ra's Al Ghul. Athena had told us that she had seen him on bridge but when the assassins rushed toward the city, she lost him and Thalia.

"...There's just too many!" I heard Steph say in argument.

"We need to spread out more. Draw them out," Tim said calmly.

I could hear the desperation. This war was getting out of control. I was actually glad Athena was locked away in her tower. She would be freaking out if she knew what was happening.

"They've gotten into the inner city! They're heading for the main base!" Batwing warned.

"I'm coming!" I heard the unmistakable voice of Athena Thomas.

"Nightingale! Get back here! Get--" In the back, Alfred's faint voice chased after Athena.

Everything was starting to crumple. I could tell from Bruce's silence that he agreed. He turned towards me, his mouth in a straight line. "Nightingale has left main base. The Family is occupied heavily. I will seek out Ra's alone. You and Nightingale need to join forces to defend the inner city. Go now and don't let her go far."

I nodded my agreement and took off in the opposite direction.

As I flew through the city towards Athena, I swear I saw a flash of bright red pass right beside me in the air. I also swear that that flash of red was a red helmet wearing a cocky smirk and a leather jacket.