Sisters (Nightwing, Supergirl)

[Deleted]

Princess Diana remained silent as her two bodyguards escorted her to her penthouse apartment.  It had been a long and tiring day of speaking engagements, and she was looking forward to retiring early for the evening.  Usually, she would go on patrol as Wonder Woman, but tonight she wasn’t feeling very well.  There was restlessness in her spirit that she couldn’t explain.  She hoped it was something a long, hot bath would alleviate.

As she drew her bathwater and disrobed, Diana reflected on her stay in Gotham City.  She had only been there a few weeks, but she truly believed her presence was making a difference.  Gotham City was unlike any other American city she had ever visited.  It was more than the gothic architecture that gave it an eerie appearance and impression.  There was a dark oppression she had sensed, even before she had physically arrived in town, and deep down, she knew the cause of it: Ares, the god of war.

Gotham City was a stronghold of Ares, and the criminals of Gotham were his unsuspecting pawns, whether they chose to believe it or not.  Those who were not familiar with the Olympian gods quickly dismissed her concern and gave it no credence whatsoever.  But Diana knew better and refused to live in a state of denial.  Because of the long history of Ares’ association with her mother Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons, Diana knew who he was and what he was capable of.  He had to be stopped, which was the main reason for Diana’s arrival in America to begin with.

As she sank into the tub, Diana closed her eyes and reflected upon the tale of Ares, a story her mother had told her many times, ever since she was a small child.  She had every detail memorized.

In summary, Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera.  He never fit in with the other gods on Mount Olympus because he represented the physical and violent aspect of war.  Eventually, he separated himself from his family and created his own realm, the Areopagus.  There, he began plotting to make his vision of eternal war and conflict in the world of man a reality.  Ares grew in power by absorbing the psychic energy of his male followers throughout the world who committed acts of violence, anger, hate, death, and bloodshed.  His influence kept the world from being a utopian society.

When Ares taunted Aphrodite, the goddess of love, with the success of his plans, she molded from clay and breathed life into a new race of women, the Amazons.  Aphrodite swore that her women would save the world with love from the hatred and warfare of Ares.  The Amazons built a city-state called Amazonia, and Hippolyta became their queen.  They were stronger than Ares' army of men because Aphrodite granted Hippolyta a golden girdle which made the Amazons invincible.

Enraged at the success of the Amazon nation, Ares called upon his half-brother Hercules to steal the golden girdle and enslave the Amazons.  Aphrodite came to their rescue and allowed them to defeat their male captors.  It was then that Aphrodite decided that her Amazons had suffered enough from man’s domination.  Taking them out of the fray of their enmity with Ares, she sent the Amazons away to live on the hidden shores of Paradise Island in the Bermuda Triangle.

Over the centuries, Ares continued to vex Aphrodite with his boasting.  During WWII, he mocked Aphrodite and claimed that he ruled the whole world because it was at war. It was then that Aphrodite called forth an Amazon warrior to help America win.  That champion was Princess Diana herself, now known throughout the world as Wonder Woman.

Diana knew for certain that Ares was a master of conflict and strategy with centuries of experience in the field.  His domination of humanity was real, and he was playing for keeps.  As long as he was worshipped, he had an influence in man’s world and would stay in power.  Consistent conflict proved to maintain his strength over the output of war.  Without that, he would cease to exist in the hearts and mind of humanity, as was the fate of lesser gods . . . .

Soon the warmth of the soothing bathwater relaxed Diana, to the point that she was sleeping peacefully.  Her thoughts shifted from Ares, and she began dreaming about Paradise Island.  Scenes of the beautiful landscape and the temple mount appeared in her mind’s eye, along with images of the people closest to her - - her lover Evadne, her mother Hippolyta, and Phillipus, the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Suddenly, Diana was awakened by a faint whisper.

Diana.  Help me, Diana.

Almost immediately, Diana sat up, opened her eyes, and looked around the bathroom.  The voice had been almost inaudible, but she had heard it just the same.  And she knew who it was.

“Donna?!!??  Is that you??!!??”

Climbing out of the tub, Diana outstretched her arms and began to turn in circles.  As her spinning gained momentum, a blinding light exploded outward from her body.  When the flash dissipated, the transformation was complete.  Diana was gone, and in her place stood . . . Wonder Woman!

Racing to the terrace, Wonder Woman jumped into the air and started flying on air currents in search of someone she could talk to about hearing Donna’s voice.  The first person that came to mind was Nightwing.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

It was that time of night, when the shadows came out to play. The city was plagued with crimes. The rats of the streets still hid at night here in Bludhaven. This wasn't Gotham. The criminals were still working their way up to that point.

Trying to turn the city to chaos. But that wasn't going to happen. Not with Nightwing watching over Bludhaven.

And tonight it was his town again. The Outsiders could wait til later toward the morning. He had to keep watch over his city. Every night that week he had been pulling double time in both cities. He couldn't keep at rest. Not now, not ever.

Nightwing had set out to keep the streets clean that night. So far he had taken done two gang meetings, three robberies, four intruders, and....he couldn't remember how many he had gotten to stop and change their mind by saying he'd be watching them. And it wasn't even close to 1 AM.

Nightwing look a break to wait on top of a rooftop in the South end of Bludhaven. This was a check in point between him and Supergirl that night. She had been off on the west coast helping out with an earthquake disaster. While Superman was away, someone needed to keep and eye and help out.

He knew she would be about done by this time. So he waited.

Though he did notice something, or someone flying through the sky. Though it didn't look like Supergirl.

[Deleted]

Wonder Woman smiled when she saw Nightwing standing in the distance, and thanked the gods she worshiped for allowing her to locate him.  This was her first time in Bludhaven.  She had been planning on visiting the city in a few weeks, but what had happened earlier that evening had made the journey an urgent priority for the Amazon Princess.

As she fell from the sky like a tear shed by a god and landed gently on the rooftop, she was so overwrought with emotion that she could hardly speak.  In her current state, she didn't want to alarm Nightwing and raised her right hand to acknowledge him, greeting him non-verbally.  Sobbing, she spent the next minute composing herself.

This was a rare moment for Wonder Woman that Nightwing was being privy to.  In public, she was used to presenting herself as a strong and confident heroine, but, in this case, she couldn't deny her humanity.  She knew she had to be careful with whom she was vulnerable, and Nightwing was one of the few males she trusted in Patriarch's World.  He had been one of her sister Donna's closest friends and an outstanding, worthy ally in times of crisis.

Finally, Wonder Woman managed to regain her self-control.  "Thank Hera I found you, Nightwing!  I come bearing good news!  Our Donna is alive!"

Wonder Woman waited for a moment to allow Nightwing's mind to register and process the information.

"I know it's a startling revelation, friend," she continued., "but it's true.  You know about the psychic link Donna and I share.  I heard her voice!"

With that, Wonder Woman offered Nightwing her magic lasso. 

"Use this on me, if you don't believe me.  The lasso will prove to you that I'm telling the truth!"

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

As the figure got closer, his assumption was correct. It was in fact Wonder Woman. His question was, why had she come? Last he had heard she had been in Gotham attending a variety of events in public for one reason or another.

She had landed on the roof top with him. Within a second, he couldn't even greet her before she was stating her reason for coming to see him.

With her words, came shock to Nightwing. He could hardly register her words. He knew what she had said, but he just couldn't believe it. Donna...Alive?!

"How," Nightwing managed to utter some words after a moment or two.

It was clear that Wonder Woman had just sent his mind reeling. Why wouldn't it? He had seen Donna die before him in that battle. It was hard to believe the words she said. But if Donna was alive.....

She had him silent. Stunned by the news more like it.

At the motion of Wonder Woman trying to hand him her lasso, he brought his hand up to refuse to take it. Then he was able to speak again.

"I believe that you are telling me the truth....I just can't believe it....," Nightwing said. It was hard to speak. The memories of that day returning to him. The heartache it had cause him and the team.

This news was great news, if it were true. He knew Wonder Woman would not lie to him. But was she sure it was Donna?

"I believe every word, but are you sure this isn't some sort of trick by one of your foes," Nightwing said.

He was merely protecting himself from getting his hopes up. As well as protecting the news from his team. They did not need any false hope over this. Especially Arsenal.

[Deleted]

Wonder Woman stared at Nightwing for a long moment, amazed at how wise he was for his age.  Yes, she had wondered if this was some type of mind trick from a member of her rouges gallery.  If it was, the machination was a very cruel act.  Circe, the Duke of Deception, and Doctor Psycho were her chief suspects, but she hadn’t seen hide or hair of them in months.  No, the voice was genuine, and she had recognized it instantly.  She was positive it was Donna’s.

“I don’t know how this came to pass, but Donna Troy is alive,” Wonder Woman stated emphatically.  "Her death happened over a year ago, but I never felt any peace about it.  I sought closure and never truly found it.  Tonight I had confirmation why that was the case.”

As her words escaped her lips, Wonder Woman thought she sounded like a crazy person.  Stricken with grief the moment she’d heard that Donna had died in an altercation with a Superman robot, she’d taken the news hard - - so hard that it put her in a state of deep, dark depression for months.  As a result, she’d felt the need to take time off from her Peace Tour to retreat to Paradise Island to mourn her adopted sister.  Even Queen Hippolyta and the other Amazons were unable to console Princess Diana during the time of her stay.  Now, over a year later, Diana refused to believe that she was just grasping at anything that would give her a glimmer of hope that Donna was still alive.

As Nightwing’s mind reeled, Wonder Woman saw how much her revelation had shaken him.  He and Donna had been best friends at one time; it was only fitting that Diana shared this news with him.  Diana could tell how her words had pulled at Nightwing’s heartstrings.  It made her wonder if he, too, was still struggling with bringing any real closure to the personal loss of Donna in his own life.

Staring into the white lenses of his mask, Diana rested her right hand on Nightwing's left shoulder.  “This should be a time of rejoicing, not reflection and sadness,” she told him.  “Stop blaming yourself, Nightwing.  Donna’s death wasn’t your fault.”

She smiled, trying to ease any tension he was feeling.  Taking her lasso from him, she hooked it on the right side of her belt again.

“I know we’re both confused and frustrated right now, but we need to have faith,” she continued.  “It does my heart proud to know that you loved Donna so very much.  All this time, her memory has lived on . . . in the lives she touched.   I know she’s alive, and I will find her, but I may need your help.  I don’t know if we should share the news about Donna with others or not - - Arsenal, especially.  Knowing how close he and Donna once were, I don’t want to upset him.  I‘m sure this past year has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for him as well.”

Wonder Woman studied Nightwing’s facial expression.

“Am I wrong?”

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing remained silent for what seemed like a long time. His mind was set on the past again. It had taken so long to even try to get over it. But had he really? Everyone was still affected by it at the hardest of moments. It was hard to say who had really moved on.

It has hard to really respond back with a forward answer as to if he had really gotten over it. And in truth, he hadn't in more than one way.

"So I've been told," Nightwing said as he felt the hand on his shoulder. This situation seemed to play through many times before with others. Though more with him playing it off that he was fine. Then again, this was Wonder Woman, she knew a bit more about him from Donna. "As a team leader, I take responsibility for the teams actions."

Nightwing left it at that, turning slightly to show that was then end of that discussion. He couldn't dwell on the thought. It had taken him this long to even get back to some what normal for his standards. That and now with the issues within his own life rising again, he was still being rather distance, finding comfort in his solo work.

"It would be wisest to keep this between us for the time being. Unless there is someone you know of that could currently help the situation," Nightwing said.

The last question just showed a bit more interest in the positive side of this situation. Maybe there was still that hope deep down that he could get Donna back. Of course there was. She was his teammate, his best friend. But this all seem impossible.

[Deleted]

Wonder Woman could tell she had shocked Nightwing with her revelation about Donna.  Patiently, she waited for him to regain his composure.  His comment about being a team leader made her smile.

“You are a very responsible person, Nightwing,” she complimented, “but you are not responsible for Donna’s death.  I know how capable you are, but even if you had the strength of Atlas, Donna’s death is too heavy a burden to carry on your strong shoulders, my friend.”

Wonder Woman recognized Nightwing’s non-verbal cue that the discussion was over and it was time to move on.  She sensed that he was dealing with other personal issues.  She didn’t press him for any details, although she assumed she had just complicated matters, making things even worse.

When Nightwing told her that it would be best to keep everything secret, Wonder Woman nodded in agreement. Then she sensed a distance growing between them, and her beautiful smile was replaced by a scornful frown.

“Don’t shut me out, Nightwing,” she whispered, getting his full attention.  “Don’t be like Batman.”

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing looked directly at Wonder Woman. A new mood taking on between them. The tension grew intense between them.

"I'm not shutting you out. And I'm nothing like him," Nightwing said.

His usual tone had dropped, a light bit of tension showed in his voice. He scowled at the possible accusation against him.

Nightwing turned away for a moment. Breaking his eye contact with her. He need to pull a way. His own way to calm himself down. He didn't mean to take such a tone with Wonder Woman.

"I'm sorry," he said.

He took a moment to collect his thoughts.

"What I mean by contacts...is there anyone out there that you know would be able to get involved to help her, besides me? I will help, but there is only so much I can do if there is magic or some type of mystic powers involved," he said.

[Deleted]

When Nightwing turned from Wonder Woman, she let him have his personal moment.  There was no denying the tension she was feeling between them.  It hadn't taken her very long to realize she had struck a nerve by comparing Nightwing to Batman, which he obviously abhorred.  Nightwing’s denial of being like the Dark Knight took her by surprise.  The scowl on Nightwing’s face affirmed Diana’s belief that he and Batman were cut from the same cloth.  Nightwing had the potential of becoming as dark and brooding as the Caped Crusader.  Apparently, the only reason it hadn’t happened yet was because Nightwing made a conscious decision not to act that way.  She was relieved when he finally turned back around and apologized to her.

“Your apology is accepted, but unnecessary,” Wonder Woman told him.  “It’s not healthy to keep your emotions bottled up inside.  If you’re not careful, one day they’ll explode.  There is no need for remorse either.  Thank you for being open and honest with me.  I encourage that behavior – now and in the future.”

Listening intently, the Amazon Princess smiled as Nightwing voiced his concerns about finding others to aid in the search.

“Right now, that would be premature,” Wonder Woman told him, “especially since I don’t even know where to begin.  I appreciate your support in this endeavor, and I will keep you informed on my progress.  If this is some sort of cruel trickery or mystical machination, I will deal with the sorcerer directly . . . with my sword.”

From the tone of her voice, there was no mistaking her intentions.

Suddenly, Wonder Woman saw movement in the distance.  Someone was flying towards the building, and gauging their speed and trajectory, they’d arrive at the rooftop in approximately thirty seconds.

“Are you expecting someone?” the Amazing Amazon asked Nightwing, pointing in the direction of the approaching figure and wondering if it was a friend or a foe.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing nodded in agreement over Wonder Woman's aggression should someone be playing any tricks. He did not blame her one bit on that.

This was a touchy subject for a lot of them. And it was rightly so in regards to the way she was lost to them as much as how much she meant to them.

Nightwing looked out in the direction that Wonder Woman made mention of. And at the time, he gave a slight smile.

"Actually, I am. I sent Supergirl out on a slight patrol earlier," he replied.

[Kara Zor-El - Supergirl]

With the setting sun in the west, Kara flew back to Gotham. Leaving behind the light of the west coast.

Sure Nightwing had said to look over Gotham, but other work had sent her over to the west coast on another mission. Nothing major, just helping out another team in the area. They didn't know her line of work. Though she was willing to help.

After she had gotten back she had taken one last look over Gotham and headed to Bludhaven. She knew it would be easy enough for her to spot Nightwing in regards to the location.

She had super hearing and right now she could hear his voice and someone else familiar.

She used her vision to pick up who it was and saw right away that it was Diana! A smile came to her face at the sight and thought of one of her mentors.

With that, her speed picked up and she came over to them in a flash.

"Diana! It's so great to see you again," she said. Supergirl restrained herself from just jumping forward and hugging Wonder Woman at the time. This was more in respects to being professional in a way for the Outsiders.

As to why Nightwing was meeting with Supergirl? That would go unanswered because of their line of work on the team was under the radar of the Justice League.

[Deleted]

“Hola, little sister!” Wonder Woman told Supergirl excitedly, opening her arms wide for a hug.  When the Maid of Might kept her distance, the Amazing Amazon understood and raised her hands in salutation instead.

It was so good to see Supergirl – Kara – again.  It had been several months since their paths had crossed, and the young girl seemed to have grown into a young lady practically overnight.  Seeing Supergirl standing there in the flesh reminded the Amazon Princess of Donna.  In that moment, all Diana wanted to do was hug Kara tightly and bask in the love they both shared for one another.  It wouldn’t be the same as being with Donna, but it would help to fill the empty void in Diana’s heart that she was feeling right now.

“It is nice to see you and Nightwing on patrol together,” Wonder Woman told Supergirl, thinking of Batman back home in Gotham City.  She wished the Dark Knight would embrace her like Nightwing embraced his teammates.  At least Supergirl knew she was welcomed and belonged.  Batman had not afforded Diana that courtesy.

“Am I in the way?” Wonder Woman asked the duo.  “If you two have made plans, please do not let me interrupt or intrude.”

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"Supergirl was just running over some look out points for a side mission for the League. Nothing major," Nightwing replied to Wonder Woman.

A side mission was unimportant and could easy be over looked by the League. And that was exactly why he had said it since the Outsiders were not a part of any organization. And they didn't plan on getting known by the public any time soon.

Nightwing did not mind much of Supergirl's actions. He knew she was trying to be professional around him. That's what the team was suppose to be.

"Just a check in point was all we were up to," Nightwing replied.

[Deleted]

Wonder Woman smiled at the duo, admiring their pro-active stance and self-discipline as heroes.  These two responsible, young warriors made her heart proud, and she was glad they were her allies, if she ever needed them.

With that, Wonder Woman cut her eyes to Nightwing, reminding him with her gaze not to say anything about Donna Troy.  Then she took a deep breath, smiled, and addressed Supergirl again.

“Perhaps I could join you this evening?” she offered, open to a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.  It had been too long since the Power Princess had enjoyed a night out on patrol, and she didn’t feel like being alone.  “If that is not acceptable, I understand.”

In all honesty, Wonder Woman wanted to spend time alone with Supergirl.  It would cheer her up and take away some of the feelings of hurt and loss she was experiencing at the moment.

[Kara Zor-El - Supergirl]

Supergirl gave a smile at Wonder Woman's next words. And Nightwing's words suggested that they had finished their work together for the day. These might give her the chance to get a night off from school work right away after the mission.

Nightwing had been truthful. They just didn't go into detail o the work they had been doing. And to be honest, it hadn't been that huge of a deal.

"Nightwing was actually going to start his routine patrols on his city. And since I'm off, I'd be more than happy to have you along," Supergirl replied.

Supergirl smiled at the chance to have some time with Wonder Woman. She hadn't seen her in so long. And some one on one time with her one mentor would do her some good.

As for Nightwing, she was sure he had some of his own work to get done for the night.