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Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: The Dark Knight in Star City

[Third Person's PoV] 

Location: Star City 

Date: March 1st

Time: 6: 05 PM 

When the sun dipped below the horizon and dusk crept in, that's when the shadows stirred. That's when the beings that thrived in darkness awakened.

Rain fell over Star City like a curtain, casting the metropolis into an early night. Sheets of water shimmered beneath the streetlights, and the rhythmic patter of droplets drowned out the usual hum of urban life.

But not everything stopped for the storm.

Some moved within it.

Some moved because of it.

Rain didn't hinder them—it cloaked them. It muffled their steps, blurred their outlines, and made them ghosts among men.

Three shadows darted across the rooftops.

Boots splashed through gathering puddles, figures leaping from ledge to ledge, their silhouettes briefly framed in flashes of lightning before vanishing again into the murk.

From the top of a looming skyscraper, a dark figure leapt—his cape unfurling with practiced grace, transforming into a glider that caught the air and carried him silently forward, a phantom in the sky.

Moments later, another figure soared after him—brighter, bolder. Clad in primary colors and grinning wide, the boy flipped through the air with fearless precision, arms stretched out like wings.

Then—hands met midair.

Another presence, colder, quieter, intercepted the boy's fall. Pale arms grasped his forearms, holding firm. Snow-white hair and a flickering, ghostly tail revealed the third of their trio—a phantom boy who flew with effortless grace, carrying the boy wonder through the rain.

Ahead, the caped crusader aimed high, firing a grappling hook toward the tallest spire in sight—a green-tipped tower piercing the clouds like a spear.

The boy wonder began to swing back and forth repeatedly, building momentum. Then, with a sharp twist and a release, he flipped through the air, drawing his own grapple and latching onto another point, his arc tracing perfectly behind his mentor.

Meanwhile, the ghost boy vanished—his form fading into nothing, lost to the rain and night.

The Dark Knight landed silently atop a stone gargoyle, crouched low, his cape wrapping around him like a shadow made flesh. His eyes—pure white slits—glowed faintly in the downpour.

To his right, the boy wonder landed in unison, baton drawn, standing tall upon another gargoyle, his own eyes flashing white with resolve.

And to the left, from the base of a third gargoyle, an apparition emerged—phasing up through solid stone like mist rising from the earth. He solidified with eerie green eyes casting an otherworldly glow, completing the triangle.

And together, the three figures gazed down at the scene unfolding beneath them.

Through the haze of rain and rooftop shadows, a group clad in dark, ninja-like attire danced across the rooftop in deadly motion. But they weren't alone—and this wasn't just a covert maneuver. It was a brawl.

Three figures stood against the assault of assailants.

The first was a broad-shouldered man in a green and black suit, a green hood veiling most of his face. Yet, strands of golden-blonde hair and a matching beard peeked through, unmistakably identifying him. A bow rested firmly in his grip, and a quiver was slung over his back—Green Arrow.

Beside him, a boy in red—a bright contrast to the stormy night—moved with uncanny precision. A yellow 16th-century-style cap with a feather topped his head, matching his gloves, boots, and belt. Like his mentor, he wielded a bow with practiced ease—Speedy.

Guarding their flank was a striking blonde woman in a black bustier-leotard beneath a blue-lapelled jacket. Gray seamed stockings clung to her legs, leading into sturdy black boots. Black fingerless gloves extended to her biceps, and a choker wrapped her neck. With a breath and a sharp cry, she unleashed a canary-like sonic scream that parted the rain in a shockwave, flinging ninjas back as water exploded away from her—Black Canary.

"Should we join in?" Danny asked, leaning forward with a subtle smirk.

"Don't." Batman lowered his binoculars and narrowed his eyes at the chaos below. "We need to know who we're dealing with before we intervene."

"Judging by their fighting style, weapons, and formation… League of Assassins," Batman concluded, voice calm but firm.

Danny cracked his knuckles. "Now do we jump in?"

Batman glanced around, confirming no unexpected variables for a couple of long seconds. Then he nodded once. "Now."

Without another word, he launched himself into the storm, cape billowing like wings. Robin and Danny followed, rain streaking across their faces as they dove through the darkness.

Batman landed like thunder—his impact silencing the battlefield. Two assassins went down before they could blink, knocked out cold. He stood slowly, cape flowing around him, the very image of fear incarnate.

"Batman!!" Green Arrow and Black Canary exclaimed, startled.

The League hesitated, wary now. Their formation broke slightly at the sight of the Dark Knight.

Then chaos erupted.

Robin landed like a flash, boots hitting the back of an assassin. The ninja crumpled, and Robin rolled forward with fluid grace, springing up and laughing with wild glee. His bo staff spun in a blur, cracking against the next attacker's ribs, sending him flying into a nearby vent.

Meanwhile, one assassin's eyes glowed green.

Without warning, he turned on his comrade and drove a blade into his leg.

"Wha—" the assassin gasped before collapsing on one knee.

Danny stood behind them, eyes glowing briefly before fading. "Possession. Old trick," he muttered with a grin.

The League descended into disarray.

Robin and Danny moved like mirror images, back-to-back in perfect rhythm. One ducked, the other leapt. One swept the legs, the other struck high. Robin vaulted off Danny's back, kicking a ninja square in the jaw, while Danny phased through an attack, then turned solid mid-move to deliver a crushing elbow.

"You're not bad," Robin called over his shoulder.

"Try to keep up," Danny shot back.

They weaved through the League like wind through trees—fluid, fast, and unstoppable.

Batman, now amidst the chaos, disarmed and disabled opponents with clinical precision. His strikes were efficient, his movement economical. Every motion had purpose. Every takedown was final.

"Looks like you brought the cavalry," Green Arrow muttered, shooting down a foe before turning to cover Black Canary.

Robin caught a blade mid-swing with his staff, twisting it free before flipping over his opponent and planting a boot to his spine. "You're welcome!"

Danny floated upward, spinning mid-air as he fired a concentrated ecto-blast, sending another ninja hurtling into a skylight. He landed next to Robin, grinning. "That all of them?"

A sudden rustle behind them—two more assassins.

Robin tossed a smoke pellet, blinding them. Danny phased behind them, tapping each on the shoulder before knocking them out cold.

Robin twirled his staff and holstered it with a spin. "Showoff."

"Says the guy in tights," Danny replied, smirking.

Batman stepped forward, glancing over the fallen foes, then at the trio they had saved.

"Green Arrow. Black Canary. Speedy," he acknowledged with a nod.

"Batman," Canary said, brushing wet hair from her face. "So this is the new recruit you mentioned."

Danny looked a bit surprised and batted his eyes, "You talked about me to the others." 

Batman didn't say anything and just responded to Canary's statement with a grunt. 

Lightning flashed, illuminating the rooftop battlefield, now littered with unconscious assassins.

"Prepare yourselves, more are coming," Batman added, already turning to the next rooftop.

Danny and Robin shared a look, already moving in perfect sync.

"Let's clean up the rest," Robin said.

Danny nodded. "Race you."

With a flash of green and a flurry of red, they disappeared into the rain once more—ghost and shadow.

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