Chapter 2: The Choosing and Goodbyes
One week has pass, the justice league knew that it was time for one of the young justice heroes to enter the Death Games. Every member of the justice league came to the Hall of Justice; where the head people of the Death Games will come and pick up the person, who will enter the games. All the members of the young justice team including league members who were between the age of 13-22; waiting patiently for them to come. The justice league knew that they had to tell the people of earth what was going on and of course there were news casters and many citizens to witness the choosing.
"Dude, I wonder how much longer we have to wait?" whisper Kid Flash.
"KF enjoy the time we have now with our friends and family," whisper Nightwing.
"You're right dude, I guess I'm nervous that I might or Artemis or Impulse might be chosen to enter the games," whisper Kid Flash as he look down at the ground.
"I know how you feel, I got a feeling it might be Robin, Batgirl, or myself," whisper Nightwing, than he put a comforting hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Don't worry KF, no matter what happens we always get though it."
Kid Flash smile at Nightwing and nod his head in response. Before Kid Flash could say anything, one of the news reporters started to yell.
"Look in the sky!" scream the reporter as they pointed at the sky.
Everybody look at the sky and saw a space ship; the ship look like an imperial capital ship from a Star Wars movie. The ship stayed above the earth's atmosphere and then the ship open its hatch and a jet came out. The jet made its way towards the Hall of Justice and levitate over the building, then a small hatch open and three people were beam down. The three people look like the grim reaper, then they took off their hoods; all of them were bald men with pale skin, but each has a strange mark on the right side of their heads. Everybody was petrified by the three men, until Superman step forward.
"Hello, welcome to planet Earth, I'm Superman," said Superman reaching his hand out.
"Hello Superman, my name is Ki," said the man with a black X on his head as he shook Superman's hand.
"My name is Ga," said the man with a black knife on his head.
"My name is Wo," said the man with a black star on his head.
"Now tell me Superman, do you have the contestants for the Death Games?" asked Ki with a monotone voice.
"Yes," said Superman, his voice in sadness.
"Good, now if the contestants will please walk through this machine," said Ki as a machine was lower down from the jet.
"What does this machine do?" asked Batman.
"What is your name sir?" asked Ki.
"Batman."
"Well Batman the contestants need to walk through the machine so their names could be registered and we can keep track of the votes, don't worry the machine won't tell their real names they just need to say their superhero names," said Ki.
The members of the league fell silent as they were about to watch these men take one of their heroes.
"Ki shall we continue?" asked Ga.
"Yes, will those who are entering the Death Games please form a line where Ga is standing, one by one, each of you will walk through the machine and same your name, then you'll go where Wo is standing," said Ki, "Now let the choosing began."
The first one to walk though the machine is Aqualad, than the others follow
"AQUALAD," said a male computer voice, then a picture of Aqualad shown on the screen of the machine.
"SUPERBOY"
"WONDER GIRL"
"BATGIRL"
"IMPULSE"
"BLUE BEETLE"
"BUMBLEBEE"
"MISS MARTIAN"
"BEAST BOY"
"ZATANNA"
"ROCKET"
"ARTEMIS"
"KID FLASH"
"ROBIN"
"NIGHTWING"
"15 heroes; 8 boys and 7 girls are chosen to participate in the Death Games, but only one of them will be able to play the game," said Ki in a loud voice, "Now the people of earth, close your eyes and pick the hero you want to represent your planet in the Death Games."
They did what they were told even the justices league had to choose, Ki watch the screen as the percentages by the pictures started to raise until the screen said Person Selective.
"People of earth you may now open your eyes, now watch the screen to reveal the new Death Games' player," said Ki with a smile like the Joker's.
The pictures on the screen started to scramble and scramble, all the heroes' hearts were beating rapidly. It so intense they just want to hear who the person is, the suspense was getting the heroes, until they heard the beep. The heroes stare at the screen and it was blank.
"The winner is ROBIN!" shouted Ki.
Robin's eyes widen as his name was call, his whole body started to shake. Batman clench his fists in anger, Nightwing was speechless and stare at his little brother in fear. The other heroes gasp, they were about to watch these men take Robin; the boy who was like their little brother or nephew to them, into the deadliest game.
"Come Robin," said Ki.
Ga and Wo walk towards where Robin was standing and lead him to Ki, Robin walk towards Ki trying his best not to show fear. Robin was a few steps away from Ki until...
"WAIT!" yelled Nightwing as he run and stood in between Robin and Ki.
"What is it that you need?" asked Ki.
"Take me instead," said Nightwing giving Ki a glare.
Everybody gasp, Ki just stare at Nightwing, "If you want us to take you instead of Robin, then you need to offer yourself as tribute."
"Tribute?" asked Nightwing.
"Yes, tribute," said Ki, "Do you or do you not offer yourself as tribute?"
"I do, I offer myself as tribute," said Nightwing.
"No Nightwing!" yelled Robin as he hug his older brother.
Nightwing hug him back, but had to break it off, but Robin didn't want to let go. But Batman came and took Robin away from Nightwing.
"Now state your name," said Ki.
"My name is Nightwing."
"People of earth here's your player…Nightwing!" shouted Ki.
Then everybody started to clap, but the league and young justice team were sad that Nightwing was going to leave them.
"Nightwing, you have the rest of day to say your goodbyes," said Ki, Nightwing nodded. "Also Nightwing, you can only bring the clothes on your back and your mask and gloves, but no weapons, and you can bring one thing from your planet nothing else, do you understand?"
"Yes," said Nightwing in a monotone voice.
"Good, we'll be here to pick you up when the sun rises," said Ki.
Nightwing nodded and watch as Ki, Ga, and Wo went back to their jet and into their ship.
Once they were back in the ship the young justice team members and the league surrounded Nightwing. They've all decided that they would say their goodbyes individually to Nightwing, they place him in a room with two chairs.
Superboy
"I can't believe you're the one, whose going to the Death Games," said Superboy.
"I know, it's crazy," chuckle Nightwing.
"Yeah," chuckle Superboy.
An awkward silence fell upon.
"Conner I want to apologies."
"What for?"
"For not telling about Kaldur and Artemis," said Nightwing looking down at the ground.
"Nightwing, don't worry about, I forgive you," said Superboy placing a comforting hand on Nightwing. "You thought it was best chance we had to beat the light and the reach, and you were right. Yes, I was mad when I found out and thought you didn't have what it takes to be a leader, but I was wrong, your plan came through and I'm proud of your leadership skills."
"Thanks Con, I'm glad to have a friend like you," smiled Nightwing.
"I also wanted to thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"For saving from Cadmus, and showing me the moon and Superman himself."
"No problem Conner, I've always thought of you as an older brother."
"I've always though of you as a little brother," said Superboy as he and Nightwing stood up and shook hands. "Nightwing?"
"Yeah Superboy?"
"Come back home, I don't know what the team do without you."
"I'll do my best and I'll try to come back, but I won't let you or the team down."
Then Superboy and Nightwing did a bro hug, than Superboy said his goodbye and left the room.
Miss Martian
"O Nightwing, I wish you didn't have to leave us," sob M'gann.
"I know M'gann and I don't want to leave either, but if I don't go than the earth will be destroyed," said Nightwing.
"You're so brave, you're willing to risk your own life to save your little brother and us," said M'gann as she wipe away her tears. "What if they make you forget about us?"
Nightwing grab her hand, "I can never forget you or the others, all of you mean so much to me. You guys are my second family, who I love and care about."
M'gann then hug Nightwing and continue to cry, Nightwing hug her back. M'gann was always like a mom or a big sister to the team, Nightwing is sure going to miss her.
Aqualad
"How are you doing my friend?" asked Aqualad.
"To be honest, I'm terrified," said Nightwing.
"You would a fool if you weren't scare."
"Yeah, hey Aqualad?"
"Yes my friend?"
"I'm sorry for everything I put you through."
"Nightwing it was our only chance to defeat the light and the reach, and your plan worked."
"I know, but it feels like I was risking your's and Artemis' life."
Kaldur place a comforting hand on Nightwing's shoulder, "My friend me and Artemis choose to do this, but now since it's over, we can put this in the past."
Nightwing gave a small smile, "Aqualad if I die, can you take over leader or find someone else who is capable for the position."
Aqualad's eyes widen, "Nightwing, I wish I can convince you that you're not going to die, but it's not possible. But you're a very smart, strong, and have the heart of a hero."
"Thanks Kaldur."
Zatanna
"I can't believe you're leaving," said Zatanna as tears were threatening to form.
"That's what I've heard," chuckle Nightwing.
"How can you joke at a time like this?" yelled Zatanna.
"Zee, I'm acting like this, because I'm entering a game that I might not even survive. And I'm terrified, but I can't worry about, now I want to spend my last day telling my family and friends how much I love and care about them."
Zatanna nodded her head, "Nightwing, I want to apologies."
"Why?"
"For the way we left things in our relationship, I'm sorry it didn't work out," said Zatanna as she place her hand on Nightwing's.
"It's ok Zee," said Nightwing as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Zatanna pulls Nightwing in a hug, "Please be careful and come back home, we need you here."
"I'll do my best."
Artemis
"Umm Arty are you ok?" asked Nightwing.
"Sorry, I guess I'm a little shook up," said Artemis.
"You're a little shook up, now you know how I feel."
"True, I'm sure going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too Artemis and I'm sorry for faking your death."
"Don't worry about it Nightwing, I mean I learned how much my dad and my sister cared about me," smiled Artemis. "I can't believe you did that."
"What do you mean?"
"Robin was the one whose suppose to be going not you, but you stepped up. Nobody had to asked you, you did it because you love your little brother, I wish I was as brave as you."
"You are Artemis, you show it when you patrol your city and go on a mission for the young justice team," said Nightwing as he grab Artemis' hand. "Artemis you've got a lot of traught."
Artemis smile, "When you enter the arena of the Death Games, remember to have a lot of taught."
"I will Artemis," said Nightwing then he and Artemis pulled each other in a hug.
Kid Flash
"Dude, I can't believe this is happening, I mean we finally defeated the light and the reach," said Kid Flash as he put his hands through his red hair. "And now you're going to this life and death game."
"I know KF, it's scary," said Nightwing patting his best friend on his back.
"Dick you're my best friend, I don't know what I'll do if you die."
"You have Artemis and your family."
"Dick, you're apart of my family, you're my little brother."
"And you're my big brother Wally, but I did this for Tim."
"I know Dick, and you're a great big brother," smiled Wally.
"Thanks Wally," smiled Nightwing. "Wally, you're the only person who knows my identity, can you check on Tim, Bruce, and Alfred for me, while I'm away?"
"Of course dude."
"And if anything happens to me, please keep on checking on them," said Nightwing as his voice was breaking during the sentence.
Kid Flash then got up and hug Nightwing, "Of course dude, but you need to try to come back home."
"I'll do my best."
"And dude, be careful with the babes," chuckle Kid Flash.
"What do you mean?" laugh Nightwing.
"Dude, you're 18-years old and you're a very handsome young man."
Wally and Dick continued laughing, until Kid Flash and Nightwing share a bro hug and said their goodbyes.
Robin
"Why Nightwing? Why did you take my place?" sob Robin.
"Cause my older brother instincts kick in," said Nightwing as he pull Robin in a hug.
"But what if you die and then it would be all my fault."
"Robin if I die, I won't blame you and nobody else will blame you," said Nightwing as he pull Robin closer, "I chose to do this not you."
"Nightwing, you'll win right?"
"I don't know little brother but I'll try for you," said Nightwing as he kiss his brother's forehead.
Robin and Nightwing stayed in their hug for a long time, then Nightwing broke the hug.
"Tim I love you."
"I love you too and Dick try to come back home."
"I will Timmy."
Batman
"How you feeling Dick?" asked Batman as he took off his cowl to become Bruce Wayne.
"Bruce, I'm so scare, I mean I'm entering a game that I could lose my life," said Nightwing as he took off his mask to become Dick Grayson.
Bruce grab Dick's hand, "I know you're scare, but I'm proud of what you did."
"Thanks Bruce, but do you think I'll survive."
"Dick I can't tell you that, but I can tell you that you're a brilliant fighter, an amazing acrobat, and a very smart man."
"I owe that you and my parents, because of what you guys did for me, made me who I am today."
"And Dick?"
"Yeah Bruce?"
"I want to thank you for everything you did," smiled Bruce.
"What do you mean?"
"When I first took you in, you changed my life."
"I did?" asked Dick staring at Bruce's eyes.
"Yes, you brought happiness in my life and you saved me from the dark path I was going by giving me some light that lead me off that path."
Dick smile then a few tears began to fall, but Bruce took off his glove and wipe away the tears.
"Even though you can never replace my real father, I've always thought of you as my second dad," smiled Dick.
Bruce than grab Dick's chin so they can see eye to eye, "Richard no matter what happens, I'll always be proud of you, I'll never stop loving you, and you'll always be my son."
"I'll do my best Bruce and I'll do my best to come home," said Dick as more tears began to fall.
Bruce pull Dick in a hug and rub small circles on his back, "I know you will son. I know you will."
Bruce and Dick stayed like that for a while, then they broke off the hug and Bruce put his cowl back on as Dick put his domino mask back on. Batman was the last person to say goodbye to Nightwing, so Batman, Nightwing, and Robin went back to Gotham to Wayne Manor.
The next day (the sun was about to rise)
Dick Grayson in his Nightwing uniform without his weapons stood outside of the Hall of Justice with all the justice league members and the young justice team standing outside with him. They waited patiently for Ki and his men to come and take their Nightwing away from them. Nightwing's heart along with the other was beating rapidly, he was so nervous and scare, but Nightwing keeps thinking why he's doing this.
'I'm doing this for the planet earth and so Tim/Robin won't have to do this,' thought Nightwing as he put his hands in his front pockets (idk if Nightwing has pockets, but in my story he does). Then Nightwing felt the item he's taking with him to the Death Games, he took out the item and study it. The item is a little album that you would put in wallets; in the album contain photos of Dick's parents, his circus family, the Wayne family, the Bat family, the justice league, and the young justice team. 'I'm also doing this for the people I love and care about.'
Then a jet started to hover over the Hall of Justice, then Ki and his men were beam down from the jet. Then the league members and the young justice team gave their last goodbyes to Nightwing, Batman and Robin were the last ones to tell Nightwing goodbye. Then Nightwing approach Ki and his men, before he reach Ki, his men: Ga and Wo did a search on Nightwing to make sure he's not bringing any weapons.
"He has no weapons," said Ga.
"Good," said Ki, then Ki walk up to Batman and handed him what look like a miniature laptop. "This is a device that you can hook up to any of your technology to watch the Death Games, it'll blink a blue light when we're on the air."
Batman nodded and accepted the device, then Ki walk towards Nightwing and place his pale arm on Nightwing's shoulder.
"Are you ready to go Nightwing?"
Nightwing just nodded, then Ki and his men led Nightwing to the spot they where beam from. A light came from the jet and before Nightwing step in, he wave goodbye to his family and friends and watch them wave back. Then Nightwing along with Ki step into the light than Ga and Wo follow, then were beam up into the jet. The league and the team watch Nightwing as he was beam into the jet and watch the jet took off to the ship that look like an imperial capital ship from a Star Wars movie. Once the jet enter in the ship, the heroes watch the ship leave their planet's sky, nobody knows where the ship is taking Nightwing, but all the heroes can do now is pray that their Nightwing will come home.
So sorry it took me so long, I'm so happy that everybody who has read my story is asking me to update soon. But like I said I'm sorry it took me so long, I hope you love this chapter and please review! And I know I'm so evil for sending Nightwing into the Death Games.