The Path to Salvation

Episode 84 of Nightwing & Batgirl.
== Plot ==
It was morning, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Billy Batson were monitoring crime locations at Nightwing and Batgirl's headquarters. Later, their supercomputer alerted them with a news of a recent underground temple sighting. Nightwing, Batgirl, and Billy immediately sprung to action. Billy transformed into Shazam and flew away. Nightwing and Batgirl rode the R-Cycle. Together, they headed to the location of the underground temple. They met some citizens along the way. They reported to them that many police have already gone to investigate on the temple. However, after entering the temple, none of them were able to come back.
"We appreciate your concern. However, we must continue.", Nightwing told the citizens.
"We are here to put an end to this. Someone has to.", Batgirl added.
"Alright. Do what you must.", one of the citizens responded.
"We will", Shazam said.
Now, Nightwing and Batgirl descended into the underground cave.
Meanwhile, deep into the cave, there are a large gathering of people, all led by a man in black tights and a thunder symbol on his chest. They call this man their "Messiah." This man has led homeless people and anyone who entered the cave, into believing that he is their savior, and that he can lead them to the path to salvation. They have become his cult.
"Put your faith on me. And I'll lead you to the path to salvation. I am the way! I am the Messiah! I am salvation! I am Teth-Adam!", the Messiah said. The Messiah is revealed to be Black Adam, Shazam's counterpart.
"Praise the Messiah!", his followers said several times.
"You shall all be saved. Now, go on and become missionaries of the path to salvation!", Black Adam told them.
Now, the brainwashed followers of Black Adam spread throughout the cave. Nightwing, Batgirl, and Shazam descended into the underground cave. 
"So far, we haven't seen any signs of people dwelling here in this cave. Where could they have possibly went?", Batgirl said.
"Only one way to find out. We have to go deeper inside.", Nightwing said.
Later, they saw passages on the walls of the cave. And from those, emerged policemen. The police pointed their guns at them.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Take it easy right there. We're here to investigate.", Shazam told them.
"We're here to save you.", Batgirl told them.
"We are already saved.", one of the police responded.
"What do you mean? You've been stuck here in this cave.", Batgirl asked.
"Come with us. We'll show you.", one of the brainwashed police told them.
"Show us what?", Nightwing asked.
"The path to salvation.", one of them said.
"Oh my goodness. This is worst than I thought.", Batgirl said.
"They must have been brainwashed into forming a cult. They might all be under the influence of one man.", Nightwing replied.
"Who could this be?", Shazam asked.
"We call him our Messiah.", the brainwashed people answered.
"No way", Batgirl said.
"Join us, and you shall be saved.", one of the police told them.
"Sorry, but we think you're the ones who need saving.", Nightwing replied.
The brainwashed police attacked them. They shot them but Shazam just deflected all the bullets with his body. Nightwing and Batgirl knocked the guns off their hands with their Batarangs and Birdarangs. They took down the brainwashed men. 
"Who is your leader, really?", Shazam asked.
"Come with us, and you'll find out.", one of the followers told them.
"No! You come with us.", Nightwing insisted.
Later, more of the cult later came and surrounded the heroes.
"Oh, no.", Shazam said.
Later, they were overwhelmed by Black Adam's cult. They tried to fight them, but they were too many.
"It didn't have to be this way. Come join us, and you shall be saved.", the cult members persisted.
"No, we shall not.", Nightwing said, as they kept fighting.
Later, Shazam was hypnotized. 
"Come with us. And we shall show you the way. The light. The path to salvation!", Shazam told Nightwing and Batgirl.
"Oh, crap. This has gone worse.", Batgirl said.
Nightwing and Batgirl battled but they were no match for Shazam's strength and was knocked unconscious. Later, Shazam transformed into Billy Batson. Then, he was also knocked down unconscious by the cult members.
"Why did you do that?", one of the cult members asked.
"We shall not allow any one of them. We shall bring them all captives to the Messiah. As we are told", one of them answered.
Now, they proceeded to the temple of Black Adam. The heroes were chained and strapped to the wall while they are unconscious. Black Adam also removed Nightwing and Batgirl's utility belts. 
"You've done well, my followers. You have proven yourselves worthy of salvation.", Black Adam praised them. "Now, our existence shall be known. We shall extend our following throughout Gotham, and eventually the world. We shall lead everyone to the path to salvation.", he told them.
Now, his followers went out once again. This time, they went out the cave and spread throughout Gotham. Black Adam ordered few of them to stay with him, and watch over the heroes. Later, the heroes woke up. They were surprised to see Black Adam.
"Black Adam?", Billy shockingly exclaimed.
"Oh, you're awake now. That's great.", Black Adam was pleased.
"Tell us, what do you want from us?", Nightwing asked.
"I want you three, to join my following. Together, we shall be headed towards the path to salvation.", Black Adam told them.
"Why do I always keep hearing salvation? Now I hate that word!", Billy Batson said.
"No thanks, Black Adam. We don't need your salvation.", Batgirl told him.
"How can you be so sure?", Black Adam asked.
"Cause we, are Gotham's saviors.", Nightwing told them.
"You're their Messiah? Oh please, you can't be serious.", Billy said, as he taunted Black Adam.
"You don't get to joke around here!", Black Adam said.
Now, he ordered his followers to paddle them. The cult followers grabbed burning metal rods.
"No way! You can't be serious with that too!", Billy exclaimed.
"You heroes clearly don't understand. You may be this city's protectors, but you could only do so much. You need the presence of something greater. Something divine. A savior. A Messiah!", 
The heroes screamed as they were paddled by burning metal rods several times. They were in agony.
"Life is full of suffering. It's unfortunate we had to do this before we could even open your eyes to salvation.", Black Adam told them. 
Billy Batson tried to say "Shazam" but before he could, he was gagged by the cult followers.
Meanwhile, the other cult followers have spread throughout Gotham. The citizens of Gotham were terrified by the message they were delivering. The GCPD went to action and battled the brainwashed followers of Black Adam's cult.
"These people are delusional.", one of Gotham's police said.
"They must be members of a cult following. A large one.", Commissioner Jim Gordon said. "Wait, these are homeless people. They must have been brainwashed by one man they thought to be their savior."
Later, Batman came to the scene. 
"Batman, you have any information about this large cult of homeless people?", Jim asked him.
"I haven't investigated on them yet. But I'm suspecting they came from the underground cave that emerged days ago.", Batman answered.
"Makes sense.", Jim Gordon replied.
"Look. Those were the ones who were sent to investigate on the underground temple!", one of Jim Gordon's companions said.
"No way! They've been brainwashed as well! That explains their disappearance!", Jim said.
Batman sent distress signals to Batwoman and Batwing through his communicator. 
"Batwoman, Batwing. Look over the other parts of Gotham attacked by these cult members.", Batman told them.
"All right. We're on it.", Batwoman and Batwing responded.
At Wayne Enterprises' underground headquarters, Luke Fox opened the vault of his Batsuit. He told his father Lucius, adviser of Wayne Enterprises and the current Mayor, that he gotta go save Gotham. His father told him to be careful. Now, Luke Fox suited up as Batwing. He now flew away and went to midtown Gotham. Kathy Kane suited up as Batwoman as well. Now, she rode her motorcycle and headed downtown. The two battled the cult members on their respective locations. 
Back at the underground temple, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Billy Batson are continually being tortured. They kept screaming in agony as they were being hit by burning metal crowbars by the cult followers.
"I think we're being a bit too harsh now. Switch to wooden paddles instead.", Black Adam told his followers. 
Billy Batson's gag was removed.
"Ugh. I'm... weak now.", Billy said, "And hungry"
"Please... stop.", Nightwing pleaded.
But the followers kept hitting them, with wooden paddles this time.
Back at Gotham Times Square, Batman, Jim Gordon, and the GCPD struggled against the cult members. Later, they were able to take down all of them. They used chloroform gas on them to keep them unconscious. 
"Commissioner. I gotta go to the underground temple now. Please keep an eye on these homeless people.", Batman told Jim Gordon.
"We will.", Jim replied.
Now, Batman used his grapple and swung away.
"What do we with them? We can't arrest them.", one of the police asked.
"We got no choice but to watch over them.", Jim answered.
Back at the temple, Black Adam kept convincing the heroes to join his followers.
"Come join us. And your suffering shall end. You shall be saved.", he told them.
"We'd rather die, than succumb to your evil scheme!", Nightwing replied. 
The heroes were now absolutely weakened. 
"Be careful what you wish for.", Black Adam replied.
The torture continued. Later, Black Adam grew tired watching them get paddled. He now resorted to another course of action. He asked his followers to come over. He handed them vials of LSD drug.
"I'm impressed. You are all still alive. You were able to withstand high levels of pain. You heroes, are physically incorruptible. It's time for my last resort.", Black Adam told them. 
"Drugs? No... Way!", Billy said.
Black Adam's followers now approached them, bringing vials of LSD.
Meanwhile, Batman now reached the underground temple. He had an easy path because there were none of Black Adam's followers hounding the cave at this moment.
"If this is the only way for you to be saved, so be it.", Black Adam told them.
The heroes struggled and shook their heads, as the cult force them to take the drugs.
Later, they saw several Batarangs flying. The Batarangs precisely hit the the chains that bound the three heroes. They were freed. 
"What the...", Black Adam was surprised. 
He looked behind and saw the Batman.
"So it's you, Batman.", Black Adam said.
"Don't forget us.", Nightwing said.
"Shazam!", Billy Batson yelled as he turned into Shazam.
"My followers, attack them.", Black Adam commanded them. 
Batman used his electric brass knuckles and fought Black Adam. He was able to get the upper hand. However, Black Adam fought back and knocked Batman down the ground. Shazam charged at Black Adam and knocked him down.
"Batman, go battle the cult members. Black Adam is mine!", he told Batman.
Batman now proceeded to help Nightwing and Batgirl battle and take down the cult members. Back at Downtown and Midtown Gotham, Batwoman and Batwing, with the aid of GCPD, continued to battle the other cult followers. 
Batwing called Batwoman, "How's the fight going?", he asked.
"Gosh. There are too many of them.", Batwoman answered.
"Yes. I'm getting sick of this already.", Batwing said.
"How about we end this now, quick", Batwoman told him.
"Yeah, right. But make no mistake killing them. They're still humans.", Batwing replied.
"I'm way behind my brutal ways already.", Batwoman responded.
"That's good to hear.", Batwing said.
Now, they dropped the call and continued battling Black Adam's cult in their respective locations.
Back at the underground temple, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Batman continued fighting Black Adam's followers. Later, they were able to knock them down unconscious. Now, they tied them up. They now helped Shazam battle Black Adam. Black Adam took down the three heroes. But they rose up and continued to battle Black Adam. Nightwing used his electric metal pole to attack Black Adam. Shazam beat him up. Now, Batgirl and Batman tied up Black Adam's two legs with Batrope and pulled him down. His face hit the ground. Now, Shazam carried Black Adam above his shoulders. He said, "Shazam!" twice and thunderbolts hit Black Adam. He groaned in pain as he was struck by lightning. For the third time, Shazam yelled, "Shazam!", and Black Adam was once again struck by lightning. He was now knocked unconscious. 
"Good job, Billy.", Batman told him.
"Well", Shazam responded, shrugging his shoulders.
"Thank you, Batman", Batgirl said. Nightwing and Shazam thanked him as well.
Back at Downtown and Midtown Gotham, Batwoman and Batwing have now taken down the cult members. They called Batman and told him the cult had been all neutralized.
"Well done, Batwoman and Batwing.", Batman told them.
"I wonder how Black Adam was able to brainwash all these homeless citizens.", Nightwing wondered.
"Probably took advantage of them. He posed as a Messiah and encouraged them to join his following. He persuaded them that he knows the path to salvation.", Shazam replied. "And now, I hate that word.", he continued.
"What do you plan to do with these homeless people? Give each of them a million dollars?", Shazam joked at Batman.
"It's obvious what I'll do to the homeless.", Batman said.
"Give them homes?", Batgirl asked.
"Exactly", Batman replied.
"Mayor Lucius Fox and I are going to use Wayne Enterprises' funds for housing projects.", Batman said.
"That's a very Bruce Wayne thing to do.", Nightwing said.
"Indeed.", Batman replied.
"Now, what do we do with Black Adam's body? And the others?", Batgirl asked.
"I'll take it. Take what you can. I'll take what I can too.", Shazam told them. 
Now, the heroes brought the unconscious bodies outside the temple. They were back above ground. The citizens of Gotham saw their emergence. They all cheered. Nightwing, Batgirl, and Shazam waved at them. Later, the media came and interviewed them. After the interview, the heroes now brought the bodies away.
"Black Adam's too dangerous for Arkham Asylum to handle. I'll bring him to S.T.A.R. Labs.", Shazam told the heroes.
"Alright. Thanks for the help, Shazam.", Nightwing told him. Batman and Batgirl thanked him.
"Thanks to all you guys, I found Black Adam!", Shazam replied, as he flew away carrying Black Adam's unconscious body.
"We almost died right there, if not for you, Bruce. We thank you a lot.", Batgirl told Batman.
"We owe you a lot.", Nightwing added.
"It's alright. You did the right thing. You don't owe me anything. You just did your responsibility to save Gotham. And it's my responsibility to look after you as well.", Batman told them.
"I guess we're all good now.", Nightwing said.
Later, Gotham's police came and picked up the unconscious bodies of the brainwashed citizens.
"See you around.", Batman told them, as he used his grapple and swung away to a building.
Now, Nightwing and Batgirl rode their motorcycle and got going. 
The scene moves the next day. Nightwing and Batgirl were at their headquarters watching news. It was reported that Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox have allocated some of Wayne Enterprises' funds on housing projects for homeless citizens of Gotham.
"This is what I call a good day.", Nightwing said.
"Hope it gets better.", Batgirl replied.
"Of course it will.", Nightwing told her. "Let's go on a date then."
"I'd love to.", Batgirl replied.
They changed outfits and went out of their headquarters. They held hands as they walked and went inside the car.
== Characters ==
=== Heroes: ===
* Nightwing
* Batgirl
* Billy Batson/Shazam
* Bruce Wayne/Batman
* Kathy Kane/Batwoman-former military trainee turned vigilante.
* Luke Fox/Batwing-son of Lucius Fox; fights crime using a high tech suit called Batwing which allows him flight and enhances strength.
==== Other: ====
* Gotham police
* Jim Gordon-Batgirl's father.
* Lucius Fox-Bruce Wayne's personal business manager.
* the homeless
=== Villains: ===
* Black Adam-a man superpowered by Egyptian gods; brainwashed homeless people to create his own cult.