E1: "Go! by neffex!"

"Ungh, no, no, please, I'm innocent here, I didn't do it or I didn't--- mean to..." I pleaded with them but I was somehow failing at even that stuttering and shaking like I just had 3 cups of caffeine. The 10 men Torque sent after, caught up to me and cornered me. I was well out of my prime.

"We're not the men you should be begging for your life to, shouldn't have betrayed Torque, shoulda known by Betraying Torque you by default betray the big man, oldie." One of the thugs replied to me as he took pleasure along with the rest of them in JUST the thought of tormenting me. 

"Well, after you do what you have to do, deliver one message for me: I raised an absolute coward!" I replied as I couldn't move my body, I called him a coward but could barely finish that sentence as I was shivering. Though, it might've been from them roughing me up before shoving me on the ground in this corner and cornering me so I couldn't run anymore.

One of the men got on top of me and punched me twice before halting and looking back, "Very Insulting coming from a man that did you what you did to him!" the thug replied back, he humbled me down and had a point with that comeback I want to reluctantly admit.

Out of the blue, I heard glass break and the men reacting as if they had seen the Batman, they yelled "Wha the..??" And "What the fu-" and as I looked up to try to see what was going on, the man on top of me got off and sprinted towards something very 80s, something right out of the golden age of heroism, a masked man in a costume that was louder than the bodies he was dropping on the floor. 

He was young, no less than 19 but couldn't have been older than his mid-twenties possibly, I'd have to say, just from a guess. He was wearing a blue and gold suit, it didn't look protective at all, not in the slightest but what's protection for if you don't get hit. I couldn't imagine this kid ever had gotten hit a day in his life if he was always as quick and skilled as I had saw him tonight against these ruffians.  

My office wasn't small in the least bit, the room we were in was as big as a rich guy's ball room yet he was almost in flight, soaring across it seemingly effortlessly.

This kid had the style of a superhero from back in my day, what would be considered ridiculous with his bright color scheme. Bright blue and yellow with almost no appearance of protection and it looked as tight as suits can almost get but as comfortable somehow also. Fortunately for the both of us, he kicked butt like he should have been around and serving back in my day, the kid went from capoeira to Karate in a matter of moments, switching up fighting styles, eliminating one target then he'd fly to another and another.

To sum him up accurately, distinctly trained, exceptionally acrobatic and unco deadly. It was difficult for me to tell if he had some form of superpowers, and I've been around those more than most humans in general could claim but I could tell he was holding back on these clowns terrifically.

All 10 of the men who were gonna be witnesses and the cause of me breathing my last breath that night were unconscious in a matter of what felt like a minute. When all of the men were dealt with and the moment became as peaceful as it could be in this lovely old city of Blüdhaven, New jersey, the young man helped me off the ground but my body was sore and full of aches, if only he had gotten here sooner!

"You're safe now, but based on a hunch you might wanna move to a new apartment?" said the young man in the loud get up, I was just shocked and stunned that Blüdhaven was on a superhero's radar, even a no-name like this kid.

At first, I was hoping that one of my old JSA buddies would see this town or that at least a grandkid from one of my JSA buddies would one day show up or answer my calls but then it became apparent that not even someone from that "Justice league" would show up much less the outdated Justice society to spare a moment. It became clear that I'd become forgotten to me, that this place would remain a safe haven't for corruption, crime and the scum of the world.

The kid paused for a moment after he looked at me then looked around my laboratory like he was looking for something specific, "You're THE Harold Allnut? THE legendary Justice Society of America's leading tech designer, I've read you invented so much for the side of the heroes and could fix anything!" Said The kid, he was freaking out and acting like I was a celebrity but in my time I received no public credit, this kid has really done his homework. 

"Thanks, some of what you said is exaggerated but I appreciate the flashback and the tip, good luck out there new guy." I replied as I started walking away, had zero clue where to, though. 

The kid screamed "wait!" and I stopped, "I'm not new at this, and you aren't either, if we work together we can help the city in ways neither of us could alone." Said the kid once he got my attention, I stood staring at him and thinking about what he said… It was like he knew what I was going to reply next though, "It doesn't take a world class master of deduction to hear in your tone that you've been tired of how this city operates and telling from these goons that you're not some ordinary civilian with some very, unfortunate luck." The kid knew just what to say to catch my attention, distinctly trained, his charm and charisma was something to envy. He's definitely been playing the hero game for a while despite how young he was in our first introduction. 

"Yes, I've been waiting, I've made calls to other heroes and old pals of mine, I've prayed and begged some others or tried to challenge their sense of heroism but none of them was up for the challenge and anyone who's anyone knows WHY their refusal is actually reasonable and smart even for a hero." I replied to the kid, not even hiding my fears, "San Francisco, space, New york are all big places, wanna explain this to me like I'm 5?" The kid replied with that same charisma, I could see that no matter how I'd explain or the words used, this kid would not care but he still kept reminding me of the original heroes. The genuine heroism in his tone, in his behavior, in what leaked out his soul.

"A couple to a few decades ago to be honest I'm not too sure since I moved here after the JSA let me go. Blüdhaven was taken over by a man who came out of nowhere named "Roland Desmond" and he ruled over this place with an iron fist! He became the reason why they call this town the "Bloodhaven" now instead of its original name. He formed connections with our opposites, as his wealth grew nonstop from many businesses and fronts he set up himself so did those 'connections' in abundance. Villains from all over the world started flocking to him as he bank rolled them alongside the cops and gave Thugs, mercenaries, assassins work. He made this city his kingdom and formed a sick hierarchy where he's the supreme overlord. He hires anyone who could 'get the job done for the city of Blüdhaven' but personally has 5 bodyguards/errand boys he keeps in direct contact with and these are the guys a hero wanting to liberate the city from his control should target, track, and keep a close eye on but it won't be easy for said hero." I briefly but as detailed as I could informed the kid. 

The kid gave me a slight smile and nodded his head as he caught my small tip I felt I owed him for his but he didn't leave, "I can tell this 'Blockbuster' guy is someone you're afraid of, someone to fear here but I can promise I set up an HQ that's completely invisible where he'll never find us or find you. I can tell by how everything's expressly placed that you're a shut-in. It's bigger than this place but I have nothing but furniture in it and some of my tech and gadgets. I'll collect whatever you need or probably might want but I could really use your experience and expertise, your work is legendary and invaluable." The kid replied, I could tell you what, he knew what sort of flattery someone would want to hear and I don't know? Maybe it was the flashbacks of the old glory days of the JSA he kept giving me, blinding me, making me reevaluate and change my mind but maybe not? 

The kid looked over at me and realized he forgot to introduce himself as we started walking out of my lab, "I'm Nightwing, by the way, pretty sure I was so excited to meet you that I forgot about my own introduction." I wanted to laugh at his name, He's old school in everything else but one of the most important parts of us back then, his hero alias.