Chapter 9: The Games Begins
Nightwing wakes up to the beeping alarm clock. He turned it off than went to stare at the ceiling.
'I can't believe it starts today,' thought Nightwing.
Then he started to smell something; it smells really good. Nightwing saw a cart with a tray full of food and a white and black box. He got out of bed and walk to the white box; he open it to find a new set of clothes. He got his Nightwing suit back including his boots and gloves than he notices a black jacket with blue stripes on it.
'I'm glad to see my Nightwing suit again.' He smiles at the thought as he hugs his suit close to him.
Then he folded his suit and he opened the black box; in it were his utility belt and a bag of chocolate chip cookies. Nightwing smile when he saw a note, he grabbed it than he began to read it:
Dear Son,
I know you're wondering why you have weapons when you weren't allowed to bring any. But Ki contact us and told us we could send you anything we wanted including weapons, food, or anything you might need in the Death Games. I hope you can use your utility belt to keep your safe. And the cookies were Agent A's idea, in case if you get hungry and need to keep your strength up. I know you're scared and nervous, but don't worry, you'll do great. Son, please don't let the Death Games change you. And I wish there was a way so you wouldn't be in this position, but that would mean the end of Earth. Nightwing, I want you to remember to follow your heart and it'll lead you in the right direction. We all miss you and wish you for you to come home, but whatever happens I'll always be proud of you. I love you son.
From Batman
Nightwing felt the tears fall down his cheek; he quickly wiped them away and folded the letter. Then he began to eat; it was the best breakfast he had ever eaten, but he would never tell that to Alfred. As soon as he was done Nightwing went to shower. He came out with a towel wrapped around his waist; he went to grab the white box and started to change into his clothes. Before he put his Nightwing suit on, he put on his boxers (idk if he wears that but it's my story) and a white tank-top. Then he slowly put on his Nightwing suit.
'It feels great to be wearing this again,' thought Nightwing.
Once he was fully dressed, he started to put his mask, boots, gloves, utility belt, and jacket on. Nightwing made sure everything fit than he grabbed the bag of cookies and he put them in his utility belt. Finally he grabbed his album and folded the note to place it inside. He looked through the album of his family and friends. Then there was a knock on the door.
"Nightwing when you're done in there. Just wait outside the door and I'll come to get you and the others," said Ga.
"Alright," said Nightwing.
Than it went quiet, so Nightwing just looked around the room for one last time. He walks out of the room. Nightwing looks around to see that he's the only one out.
'The others must be getting ready,' he thought.
Then he heard a door opening, Nightwing turn his attention to the door. A smile formed on Nightwing's face as he saw Shadow come out. She was wearing the same outfit as Nightwing except she didn't had a symbol and her color was black. Nightwing noticed that on her waist is a knife in a pouch attach to a black leather belt.
"Morning," said Nightwing.
"Morning," said Shadow.
"So today is the day."
"Yeah, nervous?"
"A little, you?"
"The same."
"So what did you get from Laska?"
Shadow was surprise at the question but she gave a small smile and said, "My knife and sharpener."
"Just a knife?"
Shadow took the knife out of the pouch to touch the smooth, sharp, steel blade. "It's a 16 inch Frust blood Rambo Hibben III; it's great when I'm hunting and when I leave my marks."
"Marks?"
"In the woods, I make marks on the trees so I would always know where I'm at or just leave messages."
"Why would you leave messages?"
"I don't know I guess to see if anybody can decode it."
"Has anybody ever had?"
"No."
"What kind of marks do you make?"
"Marks that represents someone or something than I make a message. Like if I carve the symbol for my name than an eye; it means that I want to be found."
"That's smart," said Nightwing.
"Thanks, so what's in the belt?" asked Shadow as she eyed the utility belt.
"Stuff that'll keep me alive."
Shadow smile and Nightwing smile back, than there was an awkward silence. Until Shadow broke it.
"Look Nightwing, I know we're about to enter the game of life and death but I need to tell you this." Nightwing stayed silence and just stare at her masked eyes. "You've been an amazing guy; I mean I've never told anyone my parent's death. You're really sweet, kind, well you're amazing, and I really wish I didn't have to face you in the Death Games."
Nightwing notice that a tear fell down her cheek. 'I've never seen her cry before.' "Shadow I lo…" Nightwing was interrupted by the other players coming out of their rooms.
Than Ga came, "Follow me players."
They nodded and followed Ga; they stop in front of a door with a black cross. It reminded Nightwing of the Red Cross symbol on Earth. Once they entered there was a woman in a black robe with short white hair. Ga made the players sit down than the woman came with a big needle with something glowing in it. She approached Buzz and rolled up his sleeve than she inserts the needle in the middle of his arm. One of the glowing things enters Buzz's arm. The woman did everybody one by one than she finally reached Nightwing.
"What is that?" asked Nightwing as he watched her insert the glowing thing in his arm.
"They're tracking devices so they know where you at," said the woman as she remove the needle.
"Come on players," said Ga.
They got up from their seats and continued to follow Ga. Everybody's heart was racing when they saw Ki.
"Well players, today is the day," said Ki as he gave a creepy smile. "Now, players, behind these doors are where your journey in the Death Games begins. You all will be fighting to the death, so you should avoid mistakes, it may cost your life. Also, the winner is the last person standing. Any questions?" Nobody said anything, they just glared at him. "I wish you all the best of luck." Than Ki left and the doors opened.
The players slowly entered through the door and saw a large green field; not too far off is a forest. There were tall trees and lots of plants. Then they started to hear noises; is sounded like an angry lion, well, to Nightwing anyways. The doors slam shut, startling the players. 12 circles lit up.
"Players step in the circles," said Ki. They did as they were told; each of them standing in their own circle. "Now players, we'll be doing a count down from ten. Once completed our horn will blow; I advise you all not to take a step to early or the circle will blow."
'Like a landmine,' thought Nightwing as he looked at what was out there.
Than weapons, food, water, and supplies came out of the ground.
"Players these are the items you can all take and use in the games. We'll begin shortly," said Ki.
~Mount Justice~
"I can't believe this is happening," said Kid Flash.
"I know it feels like Nightwing just left us," said Artemis.
"I can't stand it!" yelled Superboy as he got and punch the mountain causing it to shake.
"Conner, what's wrong?" asked Beast Boy with concern in his voice.
"It's just that Nightwing is out there somewhere about to fight for life while we're here watching him. I mean, we're superheroes, why aren't we coming up with a plan to stop this before we lose Nightwing forever?"
Everybody knew that Superboy was right; Nightwing was about to enter the Death Games and they weren't doing anything.
Superman approach Superboy and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard, but there's nothing we can do."
"That's what you think," said Robin.
"What do you mean?" asked Wonder Girl.
"What Robin means is that all we can do now is pray for Nightwing to come home," said Batman giving Robin a glare.
"Yeah that's what I mean," said Robin.
~Death Games~
Nightwing waited patiently along with the others; his heart was beating rapidly. All he wanted to do is to get it over with and done.
"Players the countdown begins!" yelled Ki.
'This is it,' thought Nightwing.
"10!" said a male computer voice.
'I can't believe I'm about to fight for my life. But I can't kill the others, especially Shadow.'
"9!"
'I wish I told her that I have feelings for her. No, I don't have feelings for her… do I?'
"8!"
'Every time I'm with her it just feels right.'
"7!"
'Shadow did say she has feelings for me and everybody, including Batman, says I have feelings for her.'
"6!"
'But what am I going to do, there's only suppose to be one winner.'
"5!"
'And these dreams of Shadow dying, what if they come true?'
"4!"
'Every bone in my body is telling me to protect her.'
"3!"
Nightwing prepared himself to run than he looked at Shadow. She was doing the same than Shadow turned her attention to Nightwing. She mouths something.
'What is she telling me?'
"2!"
'Shadow, I wish I wasn't going against you.'
"1!"
'I hope my heart knows what it's doing.'
A loud horn buzzed.