I know I'm taking forever to update. So sorry. With school and trying to keep my other stories update is hard. This chapter took me awhile, anyways hope you enjoy. Please review and I'll update faster. My goal is to get 200 reviews. I'll shut up now and let you read. Enjoy!
Chapter 13: Rest In Peace
Nightwing walks towards a small campfire with wood in his hands. He places the wood on the ground and gives a look of surprise when his sees a Dutch oven over the campfire. Then Nightwing saw Kindle open the lid and stir it with a spoon.
"Hey Kindle."
"Hmm," said Kindle, not taking her eyes off the Dutch oven.
"Where did you get the pot and spoon?" Nightwing asked as he sat down.
"My little sister sent it to me from Zvirtrus."
"I thought you lost all of your stuff in the quicksand," said Nightwing as his eyebrow made an arch of "what?"
"I did, the pot and spoon transform into capsules. So I can carry them everywhere I go."
"I see."
Kindle got up and cut a strip of fish that Nightwing caught. She put it in the pot and grabbed some red berries; she squeezed the juice out of the berries.
"What are you making?" asked Nightwing.
"It's a fish stew that I always made for my family," said Kindle with a smile.
"Smells good."
"Thanks, I always wanted to be a cook. But now that I'm here, it seems to be just a dream."
"Kindle, it'll be ok." He placed a comforting hand on her back.
"I want to believe you, but it's hard."
"I know but we need to be strong. Do it for your sister."
Kindle nodded her head. Then, she removed the pot and gave it a quick stir. She took one taste.
"It's done."
"Can I have a taste?"
"Sure," she got some stew on the spoon and held it to his lips.
Nightwing slurped the stew and his taste buds exploded. "Kindle, this is amazing!"
"Thank you."
"Where did you learn how to cook?"
"I taught myself, my parents are barely home, so I had to make something for my sister and me to eat."
"I see. You know, I have a friend back home trying to learn how to cook. You remind me of her."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yes, because I remember the good times we hand. And no, because I miss her, my friends, and family."
Kindle placed her hand on top of his. "I understand."
They ate the stew till there was nothing left. Nightwing and Kindle packed their gear and searched for a place to sleep. They were walking in silence until…
"So Nightwing, what are you going to do once you find Shadow?" asked Kindle with curiosity in her voice.
"First thing I'm going to do is hug her and never let go. Then I'm going to tell Shadow how I feel about her."
"What about the rules of the Death Games? I mean, there can only be one winner."
"It's not going to stop me from finding her," said Nightwing with determination in his voice.
"You must really like Shadow."
"I do."
Kindle was about to say something, but Nightwing stopped in his tracks.
"What?"
"See that?"
"No."
"Come on," Nightwing went to a tree and Kindle saw something on it. "Kindle, Shadow has been here."
"How do you know?"
"See these symbols?" He pointed and Kindle nodded her head. "They're Shadow's marks. She told me she leaves them so she always knows where she's at and so she can leave messages."
"Messages?"
"Yes, so she can see if I can decode it."
"Can you?"
"I need to think." Nightwing studied the symbols. 'Ok, the first one looks like a bird. It looks very familiar.'
"Nightwing?"
"Yes Kindle?"
"Isn't that your symbol?"
Nightwing look at it again, "You're right, so the message is for me."
"I think Shadow knew you would follow her."
He nodded and saw the next symbol, it's a hand. 'It could mean five or stop. Hold on, Batman would always put his hand out like that to tell me to wait. So this symbol means wait.'
Then he saw four straight lines close together. 'It can't be the number four, it's the word for.' And the last symbol is a black circle with a heart in the middle with black squiggle lines surrounding the circle. 'Shadow.'
"Did you figure it out?" asked Kindle becoming curious.
"Yes."
"What does it say?"
"It says Nightwing wait for me," said Nightwing as he translated the last symbol.
Kindle didn't know what to do or say, so she placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "So now what do we do?"
"I'm still going to find her, you don't have to come."
"Are you kidding, I want to see what happens with you two," said Kindle giving a smile.
Nightwing smile back but it disappeared when they heard a scream. "Let's go."
They headed towards the source of the scream, Nightwing told Kindle to stay quiet and she nodded. They saw Saill and Mac surrounded by a giant tarantula. Zals was trap in a web and couldn't get free.
"We need to help them," whispered Kindle.
"Agreed. Kindle, go free Zals while I help Saill and Mac."
"How am I going to do that?"
"Use this," Nightwing took out a heat laser from his belt and gave it to Kindle. "Push the button and the laser will heat up the web and let Zals free. Be careful not to burn yourself or Zals."
Kindle took the laser, "I will, as long as you be careful with that creature." But she noticed that Nightwing wasn't there. 'Where did he go?' She left it alone and went to help Zals.
Nightwing saw Mac using a stick to defend himself and Saill from the tarantula. Until the tarantula grab the stick and snap it into two. Saill grab a rock and threw it at its head. The tarantula made a squealing sound like it was in pain. Mac and Saill continued to throw rocks at it and the spider was beginning to back away. They thought they were in the clear, but the tarantula suddenly spit something out of its mouth and it hit Mac in the chest. Mac found himself trapped against a rocky wall and with a sticky substance on top of him. He tried to move, but he couldn't. The tarantula made a sound of victory, and then it turned its attention towards Saill.
It got closer and closer till the tarantula had cornered him. Saill tries not to be scared, but it was easier said than done. Nightwing chose that moment to attack. He took out his Eskrima sticks and combined them into a staff. He jumped in the air and smacked the tarantula with his staff. It turned its attention to Nightwing and debated on who to take. The tarantula was about to eat Saill, but Nightwing stepped in front of him and attack it. Meanwhile, Kindle went to Zals.
"Kindle, is that you?" asked Zals as she tries to get free.
"Yeah and don't worry Zals, I'll get you out."
She used the laser and carefully cut the web. Zals was free.
"Thank you," said Zals as she hugged Kindle.
"No problem, but we need to help the guys," said Kindle, breaking from the hug.
"Agreed."
"Come on, we need to free Mac."
"Ok."
Nightwing struggle with the tarantula; it started to shoot webs at him, but he dodged them. Nightwing broke his staff back into Eskrima sticks and attack the tarantula's legs. The tarantula grew angry and spit a gooey ball at Nightwing. He missed it by centimeters, than Nightwing notice it melted a hole in a tree.
'Great, it spits acid,' thought Nightwing as he rolled his eyes. He continued to dodge the acid spitballs. 'I don't know how long I can last.'
"Nightwing, over here!" yelled a voice that Nightwing knew as Mac's. Nightwing flipped his way towards Mac's voice. "Nightwing! Bring that monster in the canyon!"
"Okay!"
Nightwing made sure the tarantula was following him when he reached the canyon. He didn't see Mac anywhere. Suddenly, the tarantula shot a web ball at his feet. Nightwing quickly took a step back, but the tarantula used the opportunity to pounce on him, and it succeeded. It pined his arms and revealed it's fangs to him. Nightwing's eyes widen as he sees a green substance come out of its mouth.
'Poison.'
The tarantula was about to bite him but something green hit it. Nightwing could feel its weight lift. He used to opportunity to kick it off of him. Then, he stood up and saw Zals standing there. He looked up and saw Mac, Kindle, and Saill at the top with a big boulder. He noticed that the boulder was falling, Nightwing grabbed Zals and tackled her to the ground. He used his body to protect her. The tarantula was about to eat them, but the boulder landed on top on it and more rocks began to fall on top of the tarantula.
Nightwing looked up to make sure the coast was clear. He stood up and look at Zals. "Zals, are you ok?"
Zals sat up, "Yeah, I'm fine."
Nightwing helped her up, "Thanks for the save."
"No problem, and thanks for saving and helping us."
"You're welcome, come on let's get back to the others."
"But how?" Zals questioned.
Nightwing took out his grappling hook and shot it at the ledge. Then he grabbed Zals and they went up. Nightwing and Zals met the others.
"You guys ok?" asked Kindle.
"We're fine," said Zals.
"So what happened?" asked Nightwing.
"Me and Zals were walking and we found Saill running. He ran past us and we saw that monster chasing him. So we started to run," said Mac.
"As we were running, that creature shot a web. I wasn't paying attention and I got caught," said Zals.
"Mac and I stop to help her, but we couldn't get the web off, so Mac and I started to fight the beast. You know the rest," said Saill.
"Wow, it's a good thing we're ok," said Kindle.
Nightwing nodded. He heard a quiet twig snap and quickly became alert. He took out a bird-a-rang.
"Nightwing, what's wrong?" asked Zals.
Nightwing put his index finger to his lips and the others nodded. He closed his eyes and listened very carefully to his surroundings. Then he threw his bird-a-rang at a tree.
"Nightwing, why did you do that?" asked Mac.
"Cause we're not alone," said Nightwing.
Before anyone could say anything, they heard a voice.
"He's right."
"Buzz," said everybody but Nightwing.
"Surprised to see me?" Buzz asked. Then he saw Kindle. "Hey, I thought I killed you."
"Well you thought wrong," hissed Kindle.
"I did, but this time I'll make sure of it," said Buzz as he got closer.
Nightwing stepped in front of the others, "Why are you doing this?"
"So I can win."
"Buzz, our lives are at stake. We shouldn't be fighting each other, we should work together."
"And do what?"
"End the Death Games for good."
"Sorry Nightwing, I need the money."
Then Buzz took out a knife and threw it. Everybody ducked and Buzz choose now to attack. Nightwing got up and punched Buzz in the face. Buzz recovered and ran towards Zals. Nightwing threw a bird-a-rang at Buzz's feet.
"Let's go!" yelled Nightwing.
They ran through the woods, following Nightwing. Buzz was right on their tails. He took out another knife and threw it. The knife hit Mac's leg, he screamed and fell on his hands and knees. Nightwing, Kindle, Zals, and Saill went back to him.
"Go, go without me," said Mac, his voice full of pain.
"We're not leaving you," said Zals.
"Zals is right," said Nightwing as he picked up Mac bridal style. "Let's go!"
They ran, but it felt like they were going nowhere. Buzz was still chasing them. Nightwing knew they had to shake him, but how? Then an idea came to him. Nightwing stopped. Kindle, Zals, and Saill gave him a confused glance.
"Get Mac out of here," said Nightwing as he put Mac on his feet.
"What about you?" asked Kindle as she and Zals took Mac.
"I'll be fine, now go," said Nightwing.
They nodded and started to run. Nightwing took out his Eskrima sticks and prepared to fight.
"I see they abandoned you," said Buzz.
"They didn't abandon me, I told them to leave," growled Nightwing.
"Oh, did you tell Shadow to abandon you?"
"Shadow didn't abandon me."
"Then where is she?" Nightwing said nothing, but glared at Buzz. "Exactly; you have nothing to say. Once I'm done with you, I'm going after her."
"Don't you dare you touch her," hissed Nightwing, his voice was cold.
"Or what? You know you shouldn't tell anybody that you have feelings for someone. It just shows that you have a weakness."
"You have weaknesses too."
"Yeah, but I don't tell anybody."
Buzz threw a punch, Nightwing blocked it with his left Eskrima stick. Nightwing kicked Buzz in the stomach. Buzz took a few steps back, and he took out the kusarigama. Nightwing quickly combined his Eskrima sticks to a staff. Buzz began to swing it over his head than threw it at Nightwing. He used his staff to avoid the attack. Buzz repeated the process and Nightwing was blocking it. But Buzz pulled the kusarigama towards him and it hit Nightwing's side. Nightwing grabbed his side and he saw blood dripping. Buzz smile and began to laugh.
"Looks like the mighty has fallen," chuckle Buzz.
"I'm not done yet," said Nightwing.
"You will be soon," said Buzz as he raised the kusarigama and was about to release it.
But Saill came out of nowhere and grabbed Buzz. Nightwing was about to help him but he felt hands grab him. He saw Kindle and Zals dragging him away and Saill threw Buzz to the ground.
"What are you guys doing?" asked Nightwing.
"Getting you out of here," said Zals.
"Where's Mac?"
"He's safe," said Kindle.
Buzz took out some bolos and threw them. The bolos wrapped around Kindle; she fell to the ground. Nightwing and Zals hurried to cut her free. Buzz came up and he took out what looked like a gun. Nightwing's eyes widened in fear as he tried to free Kindle, but his side was burning. He ignored the pain and finally set Kindle free. He and the girls were about to leave, but Buzz was in front of them and ha aimed his gun at them.
"Goodbye," said Buzz with an evil grin on his face.
"NO!" yelled Saill as he grabbed Buzz's wrist and aimed the gun away from them.
They began to struggle, but Buzz managed to get free. He aimed his gun and fired. The gunshot echoed and Nightwing saw Saill standing there, blood is flowing down his chest. Saill fell to his knees and then to the ground. Nightwing, Kindle, and Zals saw Saill's eyes staring in fear.
Buzz chuckled, "One down, eleven more to go."
Nightwing, Kindle, and Zals alone. They stared at Saill's body and they knew he was gone. Buzz was laughing at the sight, Nightwing looks at Buzz and anger came over him. He stood up, but his side was burning. Nightwing ignore the pain, he gave Buzz a deadly batglare. Buzz look at him, and he gave a 'what you going do about it' look. Nightwing strut towards him than gave Buzz a punch across the face. Buzz turn his head and threw a punch back, but Nightwing block it.
"How could you!" hissed Nightwing.
"How could I what?" asked Buzz in a mocking voice.
"You know exactly what! How could you kill somebody?!"
"I'm doing it for the money. And in order to get that money, I need to destroy the competition." Buzz gave a roadhouse kick, Nightwing block it.
"It's wrong!"
"Who cares? Or do you care?" Nightwing said nothing, just stare at him with his cold glare. "That's right, a superheroes number one rule: never kill. Well Nightwing, how do expect to get out of here alive if you don't kill."
"I will make it out of here alive and put an end to the Death Games!"
"To bad, I won't let you live."
Nightwing kick Buzz in the stomach and keep punching him in the face. Nightwing notice that he and Buzz were at a cliff. Than he heard rushing water and notice how close he and Buzz are getting.
"Buzz, we need to stop fighting!" yelled Nightwing.
"I won't stop till you're dead," hissed Buzz as he punch Nightwing across the face. Than he kneed him in the stomach.
Nightwing felt his side burning in pain, but he had to be strong. He stood up with power written on his face. "Sorry Buzz, I don't die easily."
"It's alright, I love a challenge. Know I think about, I wonder if all those stories of Shadow are true?"
"You seen her fight, she's equal to me."
"That's true, but those aren't the stories I'm talking about," said Buzz as an evil smirk appeared on his face.
"What do you mean?" asked Nightwing as he secretly gave a confuse look.
"Shadow's a great lover."
"What?!" Nightwing's eyes widen in surprise.
"Shadow has sex with every man, so she get whatever she wants. She's using you so she can win the Death Games."
"You're wrong!" hissed Nightwing.
"You feelings for her is causing you not to see the truth. Shadow is nothing but a manipulator. She's pretending to have feelings for you." Buzz threw a punch.
"Shut up!" yelled Nightwing as he caught the punch and gave him a kick to the stomach. "You're wrong Buzz. She's not a manipulator and she's not pretending she has feelings for me."
"How can you be for sure?"
"Because I know her heart has the feeling as mine."
With that said Nightwing turn around and started to head back to Zals, Kindle, and Saill's body. Buzz stood up and took out his gun.
"To bad you won't find out," said Buzz as he place his finger on the trigger.
Nightwing heard a click and turn to find Buzz pointing his gun at him. Nightwing was about to jump out of the way until...
"NIGHTWING DUCK!" yelled a voice.
Nightwing did so and saw an orange goo flew. It hit Buzz in the face; Buzz began to yell and tries to remove the goo. But Buzz took a few steps back and lost his footing at the cliff. Buzz fell backwards, Nightwing ran to the edge to see if he can help or save Buzz. Even though Buzz is an evil man, Nightwing saves the good and the bad. Once he reach the edge of the cliff, he sees nothing but the river at the bottom. Nightwing looks to see if Buzz will resurface but nothing.
"Nightwing, are you ok?" asked the voice.
"Mac? Is that you?" asked Nightwing removing his attention from the river.
"Yeah, it's me," said Mac with pain in his voice. Which reminded Nightwing of his side.
"What are you doing here?"
"I saw you and Buzz here and I thought you needed help."
"Thanks Mac, you saved my life."
"Hey you saved me, so we're even."
"Yeah," said Nightwing than he look down at the river.
"Is he alive?" asked Mac in a shaky voice.
"I don't know."
Nightwing and Mac stare at the river to see if Buzz comes out. But nothing happen, they're not sure if Buzz died or if he survived. Nightwing began to wonder about Saill's death than Shadow.
'Buzz is wrong, Shadow does have feelings for me. I don't know about those rumors about her, but I bet she has an explanation. And I'm not going to ask her, unless she wants to tell me. Shadow, I will find you no matter what happens. I just want you safe in my arms.'
That's the end of this chapter, hope you like it. I also want to thank and give credit for 3D Phantom, who gave the idea about Buzz falling off the cliff. Please review!