Sneering at the frightened face of a young woman, the muscular thug pushed her into a trash can.

Both fell with a clatter, and the blue-eyed blonde began to cry as fear shook her heart.

“What’s wron’, princess? Scared?” He mocked, lifting the poor girl up with one arm effortlessly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care ‘a ya…”

“I’d put her down if I were you.”

Pausing in confusion at the sudden voice, the tattooed punk glared into the shadows at the other end of the alley.

Glowing amethyst eyes met his…

“Who are you? Come out and face me!”

“If you insist.”

It was like a living shadow pulled free, eyes still glowing as the cloak billowed slightly in a warm Miami breeze.

“You little bitch. Stay out of this!”

“Can’t do that.” The disembodied voice replied boredly.

“You see, it’s my job to stop narcissistic sociopaths from ruining lives. Maybe you should take up chess?”

“You cocky little whore!”

Glowing eyes narrowed, and she raised a hand encased in purple energy…

“Wrong answer.”

A blast escaped her palm, striking the tattooed chest and sent him flying back.

The woman hit the floor, looking disheveled and terrified, and the dark-looking girl seemed to float to her side.

“Go.”

She didn’t wait for anymore prods, and stumbled out of the alley into the lit street with a broken heel.

“You little-.”

Ducking beneath his swing, her palm came up to catch him in the chest.

As he crumpled to the floor, she glared fiercely, the glow spreading across her skin…

“What do you have to say for yourself now?”

“I don’t have to…explain myself to the likes…of you…”

“No?”

The glow encompassed him, and the man’s eyes widened in fear as fire spouted from her mouth like vomit.

Horrible tentacles with spikes crept out from beneath the cape, and he began to scream as his throat thawed.

As they wrapped around him, he began to shriek, blood pouring out of his chest like a fountain.

“STOP! I PROMISE, I’LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN!!!”

The shadow loomed over him, looking like a pleased demon ready to devour a soul…

“I’ll need the Nightmare guarantee on that…”

Sitting behind a broad desk, a young woman sighed in boredom…

Tap-Tap-Tap…

Twirling a long ringlet curl around her finger, the pen kept up a steady beat against the smooth surface.

Bright purple eyes, wide and innocent-looking, flickered up whenever someone passed the glass door across the room.

Dropping her pen with a clatter, the chocolate-haired woman straightened out her short grey skirt and matching jacket.

‘Perverted bosses…’

Any other day, Maggie Knite would have beaten a man senseless for staring at her legs and breasts like her boss had.

Only self-restraint and a steady mantra of ‘Can’t hurt people-Can’t hurt people’ had kept her from punching him in the nose.

Apparently, secretaries were chosen according to bra size rather than resumes…

Upset at the lack of work as well, Maggie had nothing to occupy her time.

A bored Maggie was the apocalypse and the destruction of the dinosaurs all in one…

“MAGGIE!”

Looking up, immediately interested, she blinked at a redhead rushing around the corner.

This was a work friend, Ophelia Manns, that was her senior by three years at twenty-six, and dark-skinned.

Blue eyes bright, she hit the desk as she skidded in high heels, still grinning like a loon that just stole chocolate and got away with it.

Quirking an eyebrow, Maggie smiled in amusement, leaning back in her seat.

“What can I do for you, Ophelia?”

“Listen, that’s what you can do! I’ve got some big news!”

Still panting from her hazardous run, the older woman didn’t realize that her short black skirt had begun to ride up and that her shirt was disheveled.

“What? You got a guy to go with you into the closet?”

“Wha-? NO!” Ophelia replied, looking embarrassed.

“Then what is it, oh great Mistress of the Broom Closet?”

“Look, will you stop picking on me and LISTEN?!”

Raising her hands to placate her friend, Maggie couldn’t wipe the wide smile from her face.

“Alright, alright. What’s up?”

“The Justice League!”

Silent as her brain actually whirled online, interest peaked, Maggie tilted her head curiously.

“What about the Justice League?”

“They’re recruiting every superhero in the world! I bet they’ll get Nightmare next!”

“…Right…”

Brow furrowing in thought, Maggie crossed one leg over the other and receded into her mind.

It was her most powerful tool and weapon, and not to be trifled with under any circumstances.

The Justice League had been through an ordeal, she’d heard, and now it was recruiting?

Why hadn’t Batman contacted her about it?

‘He better not say it’s because he doesn’t want me involved. I’ll show him what I can do then!’

“It would be so COOL! The only superhero in Miami kicking some alien butt!” Ophelia kept ranting.

She was completely oblivious to the fact that her friend was no longer paying any attention…

‘But they haven’t contacted me yet…’

Brushing off her desk, the brunette almost slouched in defeat.

‘Maybe I wasn’t on the list…’

“Oh, and Maggie?”

“Yeah?” She replied absentmindedly.

“There’s this note for you. From somebody. Here.”

Taking the slip of paper, she studied the seal to make sure it was intact before nodding.

“Thanks, Ophelia. See you later.”

“Right! I’ve got to spread the news!”

As the redhead rushed off, her violet-eyed friend turned her attention to the note as she opened it.

‘Meet me at your bench at 8:00. Dress for work.’

A bat symbol was drawn at the bottom, and Maggie smiled warmly.

‘Should’ve known he wouldn’t leave me out. He has a good survival instinct.’

Pulling on the one-piece leotard-like clothing, the brunette smoothed it across her petite frame.

It was a sheer black, darkening her pale skin, and covered her from collarbones to ankles to wrists.

Covering her more intimate areas were six red ‘claws’, they reached up, curling around each breast like sharp wings.

It did the same in the back to shield her behind, only going up to her lower back.

Tying a dark cloak around her neck, it completely enclosed her down to the floor, the edges frayed and ripped.

Pulling on sharp-tipped red gloves and high-heeled red boots, the girl made sure she looked presentable before pulling up her hood.

When her eyes glowed, Nightmare was definitely menacing…

Being petite, with the features and frame of a well-developed teenager, Maggie alone wasn’t very intimidating.

The night air outside of her remodeled warehouse was humid, and Nightmare shook out her cloak.

It was somewhat waterproof, and often grew slick with condensation.

Eyes glowing a bright lavender, the color outlined her form as she lifted herself into the air.

The palm trees and canals that symbolized Florida rushed beneath her, and Nightmare smiled at the liberating feeling.

Landing in her favorite park, she let the cloak cover her completely as she slid into the shadows.

Sitting on a wooden bench, Nightmare stared up at the night sky as she waited…

“Maggie.”

Tilting her head to the side, she smiled as some of the streetlight hit the lower half of her face.

“It’s Nightmare when I’m in uniform, Batman. Don’t want people to mix the names up, you know.”

As the Dark Knight seemed to materialize on the other end of the bench, arms crossed, she relaxed.

“It’s been a while. Is Big Brother Bats going to give his adopted little sis a hug?”

He seemed to give a ‘I don’t think so’ look, and Nightmare’s smile turned into a cheeky grin.

“Do you talk like that with everyone?”

“Only you. You must feel so special.”

Seeming to ignore her last comment, Batman faced her fully.

“You’ve heard about the Justice League recruiting, I assume.”

“A friend told me today.”

Rising, Nightmare looked up at the larger superhero from beneath her hood.

“Is this an invitation, or your way of warning me to stay in the little leagues?”

“You know how dangerous it can be.”

“…Do you remember when we first met? When I got lost on my way home from school one day?”

He didn’t move, but she knew he was listening to her…

“I was so excited to be out I missed a turn, and got caught in Gotham’s maze of alleys.”

Eyes glazing over, she could remember the day as vividly as if it had been yesterday…

“I was preoccupied with the stuff in my bag, and by the time I looked up, I was completely lost. I had no idea where I was…”

The slight tilt of his head was a clear indication that his attention was on her now, if she couldn’t already tell.

Being an empath was good in these situations…

“I got backed into a dead-end by some boys from school, who wanted to be in gangs or already were. I was terrified, and I almost used my powers…”

The wind was almost misty, cooling her skin and making her cloak flap ominously.

“Then you showed up, and beat them up so badly they couldn’t even run away.”

“And the moral of the story?”

“We became friends that day, Bruce, and I don’t regret a moment of it.”

Lavender eyes narrowed, hardening to stones.

“But I’m not the same defenseless little girl I know I was. I’ve grown up, and I don’t always need Big Brother Batman watching over me.”

Locking gazes, Nightmare stayed firm, knowing the slightest sign of weakness might signal otherwise.

“…I know.”

Blinking at the fact that he actually AGREED with her, which rarely happened even for her, the brunette’s shoulders slumped.

“…Huh?”

“I wasn’t here to persuade you to stay away from the Justice League.”

“…So you were here to…?”

It took her brain a moment to catch up, and Nightmare proceeded to smack herself in the forehead.

“NOW I remember why I never became a detective…”

Seeming amused at her antics, which weren’t nearly as dramatic as some of the things certain colleagues pulled, Batman turned away.

“Are you coming?”

“Of course!”

Nightmare grinned, looking like a young girl despite the menacing cloak.

“What could be cooler?”

She blinked at the Bat Glare…

“Um…I mean…More rewarding?”

“You’re like a child.”

“Aw, but you LIKE me!”

Batman didn’t reply as he contacted the Watch Tower.

“…Fine, don’t agree with me…”