Chapter 24: Who'll Survive?
He couldn't believe it, Ki killed Melinda's parents. She's all alone because of him. Nightwing will not let Ki kill him or else Melinda (his Shadow) will be alone again. Nightwing leaps away from Ki's tentacle and lands in a crouch position. He reaches in his belt and gives a sly smile as he pulls out birdarangs.
"Die!" Ki yells and swings another tentacle at him.
Nightwing does a flip over the tentacle and throws his birdarangs. Ki block them from hitting him but some of the birdarangs exploded and damage his tentacles. Nightwing reaches in his belt but Ki's tentacle cuts his belt off and scatter on the floor.
"You're useless now since you don't have your belt."
"I don't need it."
"We'll see."
Tentacles attack at different angles, Nightwing manages to dodge them but he can't do for long. He needs to find a way back before wave three. His family and friends must be worry and Melinda may be scare. He knows how she feels. Every time Batman is near death, he fears losing the man who became a second father to him.
"Give up Nightwing! I'll make sure your death is quick if you give up now!"
"No! I'll never give up! I rather die trying to get out of here then by you!"
"You'll never escape!" Swing a tentacle. "Cause before I kill you, I'm going take your soul so I can live!" Swings another tentacle; it successfully wraps around Nightwing. He struggles to break free. "No one will be able to save you! You'll die alone!"
"Says who?"
Before Ki and Nightwing could look up at the source of the voice. An arrow soars and hit the tentacle that's holding Nightwing, once it strikes the arrow electrocutes the tentacle. It releases Nightwing; he couldn't help but smirk at Shadow standing there and ready to release another arrow. He recognize the bow and arrows are from Red Arrow, and the belt from Batman.
'I bet Red Arrow is piss cause she took it. Shadow has a lot of guts taking Batman's utility belt. Wait why is she here? She's going to get hurt or may… No I can't think like that.' Nightwing takes a deep breathe and said in a stern but worried voice, "Shadow what are you doing here?"
"I came to save you."
"Shadow get out of here while you still can!"
"I can't do that Nightwing!"
"Why?"
"Cause since the day after the interview, I made a vow to get you out of the Death Games alive." Nightwing's masked eyes widen in shock. "I'm going to make sure that you'll be with your family and friends for the rest of your life. I see how much they love and miss you. You're lucky to have people like that in your life. Now back to business, Ki you're going to let us leave."
Ki starts laughing so dark, it send shivers down Nightwing's and Shadow's spine. "Oh Shadow, deep down inside you're just a scared pathetic girl calling for her parents. I thought you were taught better to hide your weaknesses."
"I'm not scared of you."
Ki gives an evil smirk and chuckles deeply, "That's exactly what your father said."
"What?"
"Shadow, you're parents are dead because of your father's bombs. He refuse to tell me so I killed him and your mother."
Nightwing sees her struggle to keep her strong face; he could tell tears are forming in her eyes. He thinks to take action before wave three than Melinda might get hurt. Then he recognizes an arrow and sees a rafter, a smile forms on his face.
"Shadow shoot!"
Without hesitation, Shadow shoots the arrow she had in her hand. The arrow soar and explodes-smoke forms and covers the room.
"Shadow shoot at an angle!"
Nightwing uses the tentacles to reach the arrow. He knows that Shadow is smart and knows what he has plan. He sees the arrow and grabs it, without having to say anything; a batarang arrives and he easily catches it. The smoke is clearing fast, he sees Shadow fighting one of Ki's tentacles with her knife. Nightwing 'breaks' the arrow so a long rope appears, he ties the end around the batarang. He throws and watch the batarang wrap around Ki, he takes the other end and use the tentacles to reach the rafters. Quickly tying the end of the rope, he flips his way to Shadow.
"Shadow lets go!" Nightwing yells as he grabs her hand and runs.
"NO!" Ki yells.
Two tentacles that weren't trap reach for Nightwing and Shadow. One wraps around Shadow's feet causing her to trip. Nightwing tries to help her but the other tentacle wraps around him and slams him to the wall. The tentacle hangs Shadow upside down, she wiggles to break free but the tentacle tightens and slowly slither it's way towards the rest of her body. Then Nightwing hears a beep, he knows what that means-they got 10 minutes till wave three. They need to get out of here, but how…
"Nightwing!" He sees Melinda hanging upside down but she has a smile on her face. "It's going to be ok."
He hears something hit the ground and sees an open locket. There's a picture of a man, woman, and a baby girl. It has to be Shadow's family.
"Dick!" He snaps his head from the ground to her. Shadow is crying but she's still smiling. "Tell your family that they're lucky to have you. I mean you bring so much love in life."
"Melinda? What are you saying?"
"Get ready to run."
Before he could say anything, Shadow manage to get her arm out and throws her arrow. It hits the tentacle and flames burst. Nightwing lands in crouch, he didn't get burn.
"Run!"
He hears her yell then hears Ki in a deep voice.
"Nightwing will you kill to save the woman you love."
"DICK RUN! PLEASE!"
He looks at the items that fell to the ground from Shadow and picks up a few things. Slowly standing up and starring at the direction that Ki's voice is coming from.
"I don't kill Ki, that's not what heroes do. But heroes save people. So I'm going to save the woman I love, my way."
Nightwing jumps on the wall at an angle and grabs the tentacle. He strikes a taser to it and the tentacle reacts. It lets go of Shadow, but she never hit the ground. Nightwing holds her in his arms and stares directly in her masked eyes.
"I told you to run."
"I choose not to listen."
"Why?"
"I love you Melinda that's why."
"I love you Dick."
Another beep echoes-they have five minutes left. Nightwing fixes his hold on her to bridal position and runs. Shadow wraps her arms around his neck and whispers a shortcut in his ear. They can still hear Ki and shortly discover tentacles follow them. Ki must have gotten free. Shadow grabs a few batarangs out of the belt. She fix her position to where he's carrying her on his shoulder. She throws them one at a time and they successfully delay the tentacles. Nightwing's eyes widen when he sees the zeta beam. They're almost there, they can make it. But a tentacle grabs Nightwing by his ankles; he falls flat to the ground. Shadow quickly takes the taser out and strikes the tentacle. It release him then she takes out the last arrow and wire from the belt; it's not the best option but it's all they got. She made sure the wire is attach to the arrow and takes aim, taking a deep breath she releases the arrow. Nightwing grabs the end of the wire cause he has gloves on and prepares to be pulled in. Then Shadow screams, he sees a tentacle wrap around her chest. He tries to pull it off her but the blade sinks into her skin. He grabs her knife and scratch the tentacle, he keeps doing it till he use the taser. Shadow winces as it releases her and tugs the wire as Nightwing holds her. Then they're being pulled into the zeta beam without looking back. They went through, Nightwing hits the floor and made sure Shadow didn't.
"Quickly shut the zeta beam!"
Batman shuts off the beam just before wave three goes off, they didn't need to know the result. Everybody stands around them and sigh of relief that they're alive. They slowly get up and stare at the spot the zeta beam was.
"It's over," said Nightwing in relief.
"Yes," said Shadow in agreement.
"You guys better not scare us again!" yelled Kindle.
"Yeah dude we were worried!" yelled Kid Flash.
Everybody gangs up on them, Shadow said in a monotone voice, "Like I said before: when you love someone, you tend to do crazy things."
"You said that," Nightwing said surprise.
Shadow nods her head, then he laughs to the of his lungs. Everybody stares at him like he's crazy, but his laugh is contagious and they join in. Once they settle down, Shadow walks to Red Arrow and hands him his bow.
"Thanks for letting me take your bow. and arrows. I'm sorry if I damage it. I can make you more arrows to repay the arrows I used."
Red Arrow smiles and said, "There's no need. You brought Nightwing back, that's all that matters."
Shadow smiles and walk towards Batman. She takes the belt and gives it to him. "I want to thank you as well. I'm sorry for losing most of your tools in that belt and damaging it. I promise you that I can fix it if you'll let me."
Batman stands there in silent and looks at the belt then to Shadow. Everybody except the players wait for Batman to yell or get angry but…Batman place a hand on her shoulder. They stare in shock at the sight; the Batman is touching a girl, he doesn't know but she likes Nightwing. Batman can feel her tense.
"As Red Arrow said there's no need. You kept your vow and brought Nightwing, my son, back alive to us. Even though you didn't know us, you knew that we need him in our lives. There's no words to describe how grateful I am for you brining him back. I am forever in your debt."
As Batman said these words, Shadow relaxes and smiles. He removes his hand and looks over his belt again.
"I can't believe it!" said Superman.
"Batman was being nice to a girl, who used his belt," said Flash in a shaky voice.
Shadow and the other players stare in confusion. Robin decides to join the conversation, "Don't worry about it guys."
Nightwing gives a small laugh and wraps his arm around Shadow's shoulders. "Ok how about we do an introduction. Everybody this is Buzz, Zals, Sky, Gil, Saill, Jen, Kale, Kindle, Scar, and Mac." The players step up when their names were called. "This is my family the Justice League and Young Justice team. I would tell you their names, but there's too many of them."
The heroes laugh and Aqualad steps forward, "It's alright my friend. We'll introduce ourselves as the day goes by."
Nightwing looks at Shadow, "Oh everybody this is Shadow, my girlfriend."
"Dang bro, you got a hottie," said Red Hood.
"Red," growls Nightwing and glares at him.
"You love me bro."
"I speak for everybody, it's a pleasure meeting you all. I mean Nightwing told us wonderful things about you," said Zals.
"We hope you can help us get back home," said Kale.
"Green Lantern? Martian Manhuntern? Can you do anything?" Wonder Woman asked.
They look at each other and whisper a plan. J'onn says, "We can get you all home, but I hope you don't mind staying on Earth for the time being."
"We don't mind," said Mac.
"I hope we're not being a burden to you," said Scar.
"Don't worry about, you guys been through a lot," said M'gann.
"She's right, it's the least we can do," said Zatanna.
The players nodded and mingle with the heroes then Nighwing saids out loud, "So Shadow have you made a decision?"
Everybody turn their attention to the couple.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know that question I asked you during the games."
"I remember the question and as I recall I gave you an answer."
"I want you to say it again," he said being smooth.
Shadow giggles, "I will if you ask me one more time."
He smiles that reaches his ears as he gets down on one knee. Gently grabbing her hands into his. "Shadow will you do me the honors and making the happiest guy in the universe by staying on Earth with me?"
"Yes, I'll stay with you." She leans to give him a kiss, but she hiss in pain. Then she begins to cough and her skin becomes pale. Shadow collapses into Nightwing's arms and whispers, "Dick?"
"Shadow?" Nightwing sits down and looks at Shadow with concern. She's unconscious, but her body is shaking and she's whimpering.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Sky in fear.
"I don't know but something is wrong." Nightwing holds back the tears and feels a hand touch his shoulder. He sees his second father. "What should we do Batman?"
"Take her to the medical bay. Zals, Jen, Sky, and Kindle, Shadow must feel comfortable around you all. Follow Nightwing and get her undress then put a gown on her. I'm going to call a doctor. Everybody else stay on your toes of any trouble that may be coming our way. Understand?"
"Yes sir!" They all yelled.
"Good, now let's move we have a life in danger."
Nightwing carries Shadow bridal style and runs to the medical bay, he made sure the girls are following him. He gently lays her down on the nearest medical bed and covers her with a blanket. He grabs a gown from supplies and hands it to Jen. Being a gentleman despite the need being next to her. Nightwing leaves the room so Shadow can be change into the gown. Once they were done, he walks in and waits for Batman to come. Everybody decides to leave him alone with her unless told otherwise. He sits down and grabs her hand; it's shaking like a leaf.
"Please be ok." He removes his and hers mask. "We just beat the Death Games and we're about to start our life together. I'm begging you Melinda. Please be ok. I can't lose you." Dick strokes her cheek and tears fell out of his eyes. "I love you."