Chapter Text
The first day of Nightwings Leauge membership was comprised only of a long meeting about responsibility, identity importance and all that nonsense. It was all stuff Dick had heard a million times during and after his Robin days. Instead he had gotten Babs to connect him to the Gotham comms so he could listen into his brother's bicker. He and Babs were listening to quite an amusing fight about if Jason was a nerd because he read books (it started because Tim got called a nerd by Jason then Tim tried to argue Jason was also a nerd and had devolved from there), when he was rudely interrupted.
“-wing. Nightwing.” Nightwing startled from his seat. The seat that he just happened to be swinging on and when he jolted decided to fall over. Luckily for him his best friend was a speedster and Wally reached out grabbing and stabilising the chair.
“Yes Batman?” Nightwing gave a nod to Wally then turned innocently to his father.
“Nightwing, did you hear what I just said?”
“Of course B.”
Batman’s lips thinned. “What did I just say?”
From his ear he heard Babs laugh. Apparently though she decided to take pitty in him. “No real names on mission.”
Plastering on his most innocent of smiles nightwing repeated a speech he had heard millions of times before, it was the new Robin speech. “When in uniform, especially on missions, real names if we have shared them, which I didn’t but anyways, if shared they will never be used in the field.”
Batman squinted at him, expression suspicious. “Thankyou Nightwing.” He said slowly, seeing through his son's lies but not being able to prove it.
Nightwing nodded at him still playing innocent and Batman continued, annoyed. “The last matter for today is the necessary training we must now undertake because of the new members.” Everyone except Nightwing groaned. “With new members there are new fighting styles and everyone must learn to work cohesively. Luckily for us we have the leader of the younger generation.” Batman nodded to Nightwing and the young man stood.
Smiling Nightwing started. “As everyone here knows I am the leader of the Titans. After a conversation B has agreed to let me assist in the training as I know my team the best.” He smirked at Batman. “And no amount of research will account for the amount of personal experience I have with them.” Murmurs ran along the table as Nightwing's small speech ended. The old league members were curious as to how the new member would teach and why Batman let him. Usually for things such as this Batman organised t hi in fact then let everyone direct themselves further as each person had their own thing.
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“Ok so before we start I have some warnings.” The adult leauge memebers stood around the room awkwardly shooting glances between Batman and Nightwing, the latter of who was standing at the front of the group. Infront of him stood the titans who were now also league members, Cyborg, KF and Trioa. “Something I think it is important to start with is don't underestimate those younger than you. From what I have heard about how the League train the style is very disjointed. You train as individuals not as a cohesive force. Yes I know you are all very powerful hero’s but I was taught to not understand each other's weaknesses and strengths so you can work together.” A cocky smile spread across his face. “I think for now this should work two ways. First each group should help show each other how they work. Secondly I think it's important for you guys to understand that bringing two separate groups together could be complicated, and my team has learnt how to work very well as a group.”
Batman nodded, silently proud. “Thankyou Nightwing. To begin we will start with sparing.” In Bruce’s defence he tried to prepare each member to know each other's fighting styles but because everyone came into the League as individual heroes it was hard to get them to work together, with the exception of the trinity.
“Kf, you pair with flash.” Wally nodded seriously walking over to Flash who looked a bit confused at Nightwing taking charge. “Trioa with Wonderwoman, cyborg with manhunter and I’ll pair up with B.” He gestured to the looming figure behind him.
Hal stepped forward brow furrowed. “Ummm kid, I thought all the young people,” He gestured to Nightwing and the titans, “we’re partnering with their equal or equivalent, wouldn't it be better to pair with Arrow? He’s human.”
Wally sniggered quietly which earned him a smile from Nightwing. “Don’t worry about me mood ring I’ll be fine.” Hal scoffed but before he could continue arguing Batman stepped in.
Batman stepped forward. “Everyone else pairs off into normal groups then we will rotate.” The group hesitantly broke up, the members not paired off with a younger member only half heartedly getting ready to spare. Flash leaned over to Wally. “Again what's with this guy.”
“What do you mean?” Wally’s eyebrows scrunched up confused.
“Is he actually any good, he can talk the talk but can he walk the walk, he’s literally only human.”
Wally laughed at his uncle. “Dude he can take and beat all of the titans individually or as a group. Trust me, he can walk the walk.”
Hal walked up to them, catching the last part of their conversation. “Bro who the fuck is this guy?”
Wally’s smile sharpened. “He’s Nightwing.”
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Most groups had moved off to spare, while also being very obvious about watching Batman and Nightwing. Batman sighed. “Is this really necessary Nightwing?”
A grin spread across Dick’s face. “Of course it is, just like old times old man.”
Bruce chuckled softly, allowing the hint of a smile. “Well let’s begin.”
“Ah uh ah.” Nightiwng raised his hand to pause them, grabbing his utility belt and removing it. “No gadgets, I want this a fair fight and I know how you literally always have a new toy in that belt.” Nightwing gestured to Batman’s belt. His dad nodded removing the belt placing it neatly to the side. The few hushed conversations quiet, everyone shocked Batman just took orders from someone else.
“Fair, but let’s not pretend you do not also have new equipment."
Both men moved to the centre of the room, moving into a training circle. “Rules?”
Batman huffed. “You know the rules. Stay inside, stay up.”
“You tap out, you lose.” Nightwing responded, nodding. Then they began.
If you asked any of the members they would tell you even though Batman said he was merely human he always seemed to be the best. The man always knew how to fight an opponent, even in training he basically never lost. If you asked any of the Titans though you’d hear that those two, the Bat and Bird, were a force to be reckoned with together, so when they fought each other you’d never know who’d win, and if it was serious it was not good news for anyone.
Nightwing moved first, preferring to never stop to keep his opponents on his feet. Batman stayed grounded, moving when necessary and always with purpose. Nightwing shifted his weight to his left leg quickly, launching off into an aerial roundhouse kick. Batman moved, grabbing Nightwing's right leg just as it stuck him in the side. Nightwing went down, rolling into a somersault so he could bounce up onto his feet again shifting from foot to foot. Batman moved just as quickly, throwing a punch into Nightwing's shoulder. Nightwing grunted but spun with the punch away from Batman. He took a few steps back then ran forward. Launching off the ground he used his momentum to flip off of Batman’s shoulders. Bruce barely moved as this is something they did often during fights when working together, but it gave Dick the opportunity to flip Bruce's cape over his eyes.
Small laughter broke out and Bruce huffed in annoyance. Nightwing smiled. “There’s a reason I don’t wear the cape anymore B.”
As Bruce swept the cape out of his vision Dick dropped low trying to swipe Batman’s legs. Bruce sidestepped but missed the kick aimed upwards that followed straight to his jaw. Bruce stumbled backwards rubbing his jaw as a small ache formed. Both of the men were barely using their strength so not real damage was being felt, but every hit still hurt a bit. Without a second of stopping Nightwing jumped again landing a kick in the chest that had Bruce stumbling another step back. As his son tried to throw a punch at his stomach Batman grabbed his wrist twisting it so Nightwing swung around, facing away from Batman. It was a bad call. Nightwing moved lighting quick using the movement he did a backflip kicking off Bruce’s chest pushing both away from each other.
Finally Bruce went down as Nightwing fell backwards doing a backwards tumble to roll into an offensive crouch. Bruce groaned from his position on the floor, hand moving to his head. Nightwing's smile dropped into a frown. “B you ok?”-
When he didn't get a reply nightwing launched across the room, expression quickly moving to worry. He reached for his dads shoulder yelping in surprise when Bruce grabbed his wrist giving a sharp pull that had the surprised man tumbling next to Bruce onto the floor.
“Hey no fare!!!!” Wined Nightwing, pouting.
Batman huffed a laugh, causing some shocked gasps from the watching crowd. “It was an old trick you should had expected it.”
“Its a cheating trick, and I won anyway, your outside of the ring.” Nightwing gestured to Bruce's hand which was touching the line.
“Well you are also outside of the line.” Batman smirked at his angry son, whose scowl quickly dropped, joining Bruce in a smile.
“Well I still won old man.” Nightwing flopped back tilting his head to look to the top corner of the room with a grin. “Did you get that Oracle?” The members of the league looked around confused, there wasn't anyone who went by that name in the league. Everyone besides the titans, Superman and Wonder Woman that was.
Everyone jumped in shock when a voice responded through the intercom. “Sure did Wing.”
“Who the hell is that?!” Green Arrow yelled, staring at the corner where he could only see a camera.
“ITS A GHOST.” Lantern pointed at the corner like it personally offended him. “I knew the tower was haunted.”
The voice laughed along with every junior member (titans). “No Hal Jorden I am not a ghost, though I do haunt these hallowed halls.”
“Stop being so dramatic. Oracle is our-”
“My AI.” Batman interrupted, Nightwing frowned disappointedly at Bruce.
The voice, Oracle hummed. “Well yes lets say that. I am Batmans AI, I help run the watchtower.”
“I thought spooky was incharge of the watchtowers system.” Fired Lantern.
“Well the man cant do everything, even if he thinks he can.” At Oracle's comment Nightwing sniggered, earning him a reproachful glare from Batman.
“Anyway the video will be uploaded to your system wing, and mine for that matter. Enjoy.” With a crackle the intercom died.
“How come you never told us you had an AI running this place?” Flash looked t batman.
“I dont trust it.” Lantern glared at the camera looking around the room suspiciously like this ‘AI’ would jump out and attack him.
“Because it was not important information.” Batman grumbled brushing off Superman offered hand as he stood up.
Nightwing laughed, springing up quickly punching Batman on the shoulder. “And he’s paranoid.” Hal’s jaw dropped open, apparently now not only could the kid beat Batman but he could also casually punch him and get away with it? Wtf.
Something pinged on Nightwing’s wrist and he looked down. “Ugh Blud business, I have to go, sorry B.” The young man rushed over to his stuff quickly reattaching his utility belt. “Bye bye.” He waved as he sped walked out of the room, waving to his team and the rest of the league.
.Batman had started to follow but Superman placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let him deal with it Batman, he’s fine.” Batman glared at the man but conceded turning back to the training room.
“What are you waiting for, get training.” He growled. As if woken from a slumber everyone jumped into action fighting and training. Batman water amused as the titans taught his team mates lessons about teamwork he had taught Dick so many years ago.
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Ever since the training song room incident the Ai oracle had become a lot more present in the watchtower. It became a semi-regular occurrence to see Batman or Nightwing speaking to her in some way. She even sometimes speaks to another league member but it was usually for sharing data or important information.
Hal did not trust technology, and by extension Oracle as she was an ‘AI’. He was a lantern, his powers ran on imagination, AI was just wrong. Earlier that day he had heard it talking to Nightwing about a previous mission he had been on; it had seemed so… human. No, Hal did not like it at all.
But if there was something about Green Lantern he wasn’t about to back down. It was when he was alone in the common area he worked up the courage to speak. “Hey Oracle.”
He waited for a second jumping when a voice replied. “Sir, did you just ‘hey siri me’?”
Hal frowned. “You're an AI it’s that what you do?”
The voice huffed in annoyance, which arguably weird as hell for a robot to be able to do but oh well. “I am a very sophisticated AI and do not need to be summoned in that way, literally just say my name.”
“Ok, but that’s kinda what I did.”
“Did you need something or are you just planning on wasting my time?”
Hal’s frown turned into a scowl. “You're an AI you can literally do multiple things. But that’s not why I summoned you, I wanted to ask a question.”
“Ask away.” Oracle's voice changed from mocking to curious.
“What’s the deal with Nightwing and Batman?”
“I’m sorry you’ll have to be more specific.” From where Oracle sat she tilted her head, hitting record on this conversation.
Hal leaned back into his seat. “They are actually weird. Nightwing calls spooky B and mr Doom and Gloom just excepts it like what the fuck. And Nightwing sits in Batman’s chair and Batman just ignores it. When I did that I got a lecture.”
Oracle hummed in thought. “Interesting, unfortunately that’s classified information.”
“What?! I thought you were the watchtower's AI, shouldn’t you answer me?”
“Ahhh, no. I am Batman’s AI unfortunately and that information is classified. Also this conversation has been recorded for training purposes” A second later the intercoms crackled and died leaving Hal sitting alone, confused and scared that he was to get in trouble. Oracle smirking, saving the video file in her blackmail folder. That was a very interesting conversation. Maybe the league wasn't as dumb as they looked. Maybe they were starting to figure things out…