Nightwing flipped over the tops of the building silently, scouting the streets he protected. Bludhaven, not Gotham he reminded himself; he worked in Bludhaven now. Almost a whole year ago, he and Bruce had had an argument, the result of which involved him realizing he needed to move. He had grown out of his Robin identity and decided to work elsewhere, having to get out of Batman's shadow. The more he stayed in his company, the more serious and brooding he got. In the end, he would always love Bruce, but Dick did not want to become like Batman. Furthermore, the relationship was becoming strained. Bruce couldn't really find the words to talk to him and there were a lot of things left unsaid. He knew Bruce cared for him; he just didn't know how to express it, and because of that, there were a lot of arguments.

Now, Nightwing was becoming used to working solo. All his life, he had either been part of a team or a duo. Now, he relied solely on himself and the occasional help of Barbara, or Oracle. Occasional meaning almost never, because she was usually assisting Batman and the current Robin and/or Red Robin. It did get lonely at times when he had to stitch up his own injuries and he remembered all the times Alfred had sat him down, handed him a cookie, and done it for him. Or when he would turn to his side before a fight only to find no one there and he would remember when he and Batman would have a silent conversation using only glances to discuss strategy right before heading into a battle.

But that was only during the first couple months. He was completely fine now, or so he told himself.

Nightwing landed softly on a rooftop, enjoying the rush of adrenaline the stunt brought him when he heard a cry. His senses picked up on the source and he ran to the edge of the building. A couple of thugs were cornering a young girl, who was shaking and backing up against the wall. One pulled out a knife and slashed it through the air, scaring her as he laughed. It was obvious what they wanted and Nightwing narrowed his eyes in anger. He was about to jump down when he saw a shadow beat him to it. He hesitated when a figure snuck up behind the thugs, not bothering to be quiet but staying in the shadows.

The thugs whipped around.

"Who're you?" the one with the knife asked threateningly, though there was a slight quiver to his voice.

The shadow didn't move, which enraged him.

"I asked you a question, punk," he spat, while the two behind him looked at each other nervously.

Finally, the shadow stepped into the light, wearing a grin. Nightwing looked closer. It was a girl, in a costume similar to his, but with a long black cape which fell perfectly straight down, covering the sides of her body. She, too, had a bird emblem on her chest, although in a different shape and a slightly greener color. She also wore a domino mask that covered most of her face and pushed back her wavy black hair. He was taken aback at the grin, however.

It was an easy going grin, and lighthearted like this was all a funny joke. But it was also feral as if one wrong move would turn this joke into a nightmare. It was inviting and terrifying at the same time. Then she spoke.

"There's only one person who gets to call me punk, and it ain't you bud." Her voice was the same as her grin; casual, yet explosive.

The color drained out of the first thug's face, who obviously picked up on the feral tone.

"Y-You stay away from us, y-ya hear?" he stuttered, taking a couple steps back, behind the other two.

The girl observed him, amused. "So it's true then. Fear really does work wonders."

Then she attacked.

She was insanely quick, Nightwing realized. He almost didn't see her move. But in a matter of seconds, she had knocked one guy's feet from underneath him and punched the other one in the gut. As they fell to the ground and doubled over, she elbowed one in the head, knocking him out. The other got up but stood no chance when she judo-flipped him to the ground, knocking him out as well. Nightwing was impressed when he realized something else. All her movements were to incapacitate and render unconscious. Never did she make a move that would seriously injure or kill.

The last thug swiped the knife at her, one, then twice. The girl easily dodged both attacks and gave him a look that clearly said, Is that all you got? She then kicked the knife out of his hands, knocking it far out of his reach.

"Please don-" the guy started in an attempt to not get his ass beaten but was interrupted when she got him into a choke hold, pushing a pressure point until he stopped thrashing. She gently laid him on the ground, away from the girl who was trembling in the corner.

Nightwing became more attentive and ready to step in if something happened.

The girl cautiously stepped forward and knelt in front of the kid.

"Hey you're okay now," she said holding a comforting arm out. Her smirking voice had completely disappeared and was replaced by an impossibly soft, but not quiet one.

The little girl still stayed back.

"Look, they're all knocked out and they can't hurt you ever again. What's your name?"

The child sniffled and replied quietly, "Mary."

She smiled at her, a real one, "Well, Mary, we have to get you home now. Do you live nearby?"

Mary nodded shyly but hesitated in moving.

"Hey, look at me. Those men will never bother you again," the girl said to her comfortingly. She stood up from her position and held out a hand to pull Mary up as well. When Mary looked at the men on the ground, nervously, the girl seemed to have an idea. Nightwing watched, slightly transfixed, as the girl unclasped her cape and wrapped it around Mary. She smoothed it on on her and told her,

"Now this cape will keep you safe and make you brave. Nothing can hurt you if you wear this cape. It's gonna scare away all the bad guys."

Mary giggled and wrapped the cape tight, taking no notice of how it dragged several feet behind her on the ground.

"But won't you need it?" she asked, worried.

"Oh no," the girl said, ruffling Mary's hair, "It's yours now. Besides, I have another one at home."

Mary skipped to the edge of the alley and turned around.

"You never told me your name," she pouted.

The girl smiled again. "You can call me Seabird."

Mary came back over and hugged Seabird tight.

"You don't worry Seabird. I can get home by myself now!"

Seabird laughed softly and waved goodbye as Mary bounded out into the street and towards her home.

Without the cape, Nightwing could see Seabird more clearly now, specifically her body, and he focused his gaze on her face instead. Suddenly, she called out into the darkness, where he sat, watching the scene.

"I know you're up there."

Nightwing thought of it as a bluff at first, then observed her movements and determined she was confident and telling the truth. Seeing no reason not to, he dropped to the ground in front of her.

"Nightwing, right?" she asked.

He nodded. "Seabird." It was more of a statement, but she nodded anyways.

"You are a hero, aren't you," he asked to make sure.

"Why does it matter to you?" she retorted.

Nightwing narrowed his eyes. "I just want to make sure my city is safe."

Seabird folded her arms and he found it harder to keep his gaze on her face. "And what makes this your city?" She didn't sound rude, just slightly defensive.

"I was here first," Nightwing said, raising an eyebrow.

Seabird stared for a second before sighing. "I guess your right, " to which Nightwing blinked, "Sorry, just not having the best of days. I am a hero though and I don't mean any harm to your city."

Nightwing thought she sounded genuine, but the years of Batman's paranoia caught up to him.

"Fine, but you're gonna have to earn my trust."

Seabird seemed to roll her eyes. "Well, obviously. That's a given in this business."

Nightwing snorted. "And how long have you been in this business exactly?"

Now Seabird got mock defensive. "Excuse me, but I've been doing this for a very long time."

Nightwing stared.

"Ok so I just started this hero thing recently, but I've been training and fighting for way, way longer than that," Seabird defended herself.

Nightwing nodded. "Uh-huh," he said, but he seemed to believe her.

"One question," Seabird started, causing Nightwing to look at her curiously, "Do you mind giving me a hand with these bodies?"

AN. So this is just a test chapter. If you guys like it, I'll continue it.

Also, if at any point, it says Percy, just pretend it says Seabird because I switched them so many times while writing this, it was a nightmare.