Chapter 10: Bird and Memories

A loud horn buzzed.

Nightwing started to run as fast as he could. The first thing he went to was a canteen that held an ocean, even though it looked like a normal one. Then he quickly grabs a sleeping bag that also includes a blanket that heats up and he got some rope; in case he had to sleep in a tree. As he went to grab some bread, a knife came flying towards him and passed his head by a centimeter. Nightwing saw that the knife came from Jen; who quickly grab more knives and left to get something else. Than Nightwing saw that Shadow and all the other girls were fighting for the bow and arrows but Shadow got the bow and left.

'I bet she's going to make her own arrows,' thought Nightwing as he grabbed a backpack that could fit the whole Batcave in it.

Nightwing looked around and saw the others fighting for items using weapons or their fists to win. He looked around and didn't see Shadow anymore.

'She must have gone into the woods already,' he thought than another knife came flying and landed in front of his feet. 'I better head there myself before I get injured or die.' So he started to run into the woods without being noticed. Nightwing stopped and looked back where he left the others. He took a deep breath and thought, 'So it begins.' He continued to run further into the woods.

~Mount Justice~

"Whoa! Did you guys see that knife?" yelled Flash.

"I know; luckily he dodged it," said Impulse.

"He's a bat, luck has nothing to do it," said Batgirl.

"Why did all the girls want the bow and arrows? I mean, there were other weapons but they went to the bow and arrows," said Bumblebee.

"Because the bow and arrow is so easy to use," said Kid Flash.

"No it's not!" yelled Artemis and Green Arrow.

"How hard can archery be?" said Kid Flash in his goofy voice.

"It's very hard, can you hit a bull's-eye from 100 feet with heavy winds?" asked Artemis with a smirk.

Kid Flash didn't say anything and just sank into his seat, his cheeks turning red. Everybody laughed.

"Wait, didn't Shadow take the bow?" said Rocket.

"That's right," said Miss Martian.

"But why just the bow?" asked Blue Beetle.

"Maybe Shadow wants the other players, including Nightwing, to lose and die in the Death Games," said Zatanna with anger in her voice.

"We don't know that Zee," said Beast Boy.

"How can we be sure," said Wonder Girl with concern in her voice.

"STOP IT ALL OF YOU!" yelled Robin. "We shouldn't think like that. I don't think we should bad mouth Shadow; yes we know nothing about her but she might be our only chance to get Nightwing back."

"But Robin, you're forgetting one thing. There's only one winner and if Shadow does help Nightwing, what will happen when they go against each other?" said Zatanna coldly.

Robin just glare at her, but he took a deep breath. "Zee, I know we're all worried about Nightwing and want him to come home. But it won't do us any good if we keep arguing."

"You're right and I'm sorry," said Zatanna as her voice went quiet.

Than the Young Justice team gave each other a hug and pray for Nightwing to come back alive.

~Death Games~

Nightwing continues to run deeper and deeper into the forest. Suddenly he stop, his legs just stop moving. Nightwing decided to use this free time to study his surroundings.

'Let's see, there are trees, a lot of plants, so there has to be some water here somewhere,' thought Nightwing.

He started to walk while listening to the sounds of the forest; he heard a bird, or what he thinks is a bird, singing. Then Nightwing remembered something that his mother told him when he was five.

Flashback

Little Richard Grayson, or Dick, was flying in the air. He felt his mother's soft, gentle hands grab him and swing back to the platform.

"Can we do it again Mami?" asked Dick jumping up and down.

"Settle down my Robin," said the boy's mother as she knelt to his eye level and placed her hands on his shoulders. "How about we practice when your father gets back ok?"

"Mami bine, unde este Tati?" (Okay mommy, where's daddy?)

His mother smiled as she began to climb down the pole with her son following her. "Tata a mere la magazine. Si Dickey, vorbesc Engleza." (Daddy went to the store. And Dickey, speak English.)

"Oops, I'm sorry Mami, I forgot."

"It's ok my little Robin," said the loving mother as she gave a kiss to her son's forehead; who gave a cute giggle.

"Mami, can I ask you something?"

"What is it sweetie?" She again went down to his level.

"Why do you call me Robin?" Dick tilted his head to the side looking so adorable.

Mary gave a smile, "Well Dick, when you fly on the trapeze, you remind me of a little robin flying." She noticed that her son wasn't convinced. "But there's another reason."

"Really? What is it?" asked the hyper boy.

"When you were born, it was the first day of spring and the doctor brought you back to us. You were so small and fragile and the most beautiful baby we've ever seen. Then you started to squirm and open your eyes. Your father and I swore that you were smiling and laughing."

"Why was I smiling and laughing?"

"Well it appears that you were looking at the window and there was something there."

"Really?" asked Dick as his eyes reveal curiosity.

"Yes."

"What was it? What was it?"

"Calm down Dick, well on the window was a bird and it was a robin."

"Wow," said Dick as his eyes sparkled.

Mary smiled, "your father and me believed the robin represents that you're going to do great things and fly."

"You really believe that Mami?"

"Yes, and Dick, always remember that no matter what happens, me and your father will always love you and be proud of you," said Mary as she picked up her son and held him close.

"And that you and Tata will always be in my heart," said Dick as he move his head to where his mother's heart was beating.

"Yes Dickey," she said, than heard soft rhythmic breathing and noticed that her child had fallen asleep. She gave him another kiss, "Pentru totdeauna si intoteauna." (Forever and always.)

Flashback ended

Nightwing could feel tears stinging in his eyes but he refuse to let them fall. He continues to walk until a bird flew right in front of him and started to fly around him. He smiles at the small red bird, but he noticed that the bird was trying to tell him something.

"Hey little guy what are you saying?" asked Nightwing. 'Great I'm talking to birds.' Than the bird chirped something. "Ok, I guess I'll follow you." Nightwing followed the bird and started to feel silly, but he heard something. It sounded rapid like a river. 'There must be a river close by and this little bird is leading me to it.'

Before he knew it, Nightwing saw a crystal clear river. He removes his gloves to form a cup with his hands and put them in the river. He quickly took a drink and the water tasted cold and refreshing. Nightwing went through his backpack and took out his canteen and put it in the river. He started to look around for the bird again, but it was gone.

'I wonder where the bird went. Why did it help me?' thought Nightwing. 'Well I guess I should get going before trouble finds me.'

Nightwing put his canteen away than started to walk through the woods once again. He also looks around to see where the bird went, but nothing. Nightwing began to think about the bird and Shadow. He never realized how much he missed her. The bird reminded Nightwing of Shadow because she was always there to help him out, but now, she could be anywhere. His heart began to ache every time Shadow popped up in his head and his dreams.

'I need to find her. I need to tell her my feelings. I need to make sure she's safe.'

What do you think? I'm now open for any ideas that should happen to Nightwing, Shadow, or any of your favorite players in the Death Games. Also for the Justice League and Young Justice team. You know, arguments, or planning, or maybe some jealousy of Shadow. Please review! Thanks for reading!