The annual Wayne Industries ball, the highlight of the year for many of the rich men and women of Gotham City. The one event where security was so tight, no one could blink an eye without having a guard breathing down their neck. The rich were dressed to impress, long elegant dresses and handsome suits, millions of dollars wrapped around bare necks and wrists. Bruce Wayne, the man of the night, the man who made it all happen, stood, tall, proud, watching the many men and women float around the floor dancing. Among the many faces, two who made him smile were exact opposites. Richard Grayson was twirling the unimpressed and furious Damian Wayne around the dance floor. Bruce could see the amusing smile Dick had plastered on his face, almost hearing the twinkling laugh escape him as Damian furrowed his face further in irritation.

Bruce watched as Damian finally had enough, shaking Dick off and leaving in a huff not glancing back to see Dick with the biggest pout Bruce had ever seen. Damian approached Bruce and glared at him rather unhappily.

"Don't ever let me dance with Grayson again."

Bruce let out a chuckle before placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "Perhaps next time you'll heed my warning."

Damian huffed, shrugging the hand off him and headed into the crowd. Bruce took a sip from his glass, eyes landing once again on the cheerful acrobat who was talking to a man who Bruce had never seen before. His brow furrowed, watching as the man glanced around, his eyes always ending up eyeballing the same three same men around the room. Bruce could tell something was wrong when the three strange men began to closed in. Dick seemed oblivious which to Bruce meant Dick knew exactly what was happening. Bruce excused himself from his current company and began his descent down the rounded stairs, sights set on his oldest ward. He watched Richard excuse himself, beginning to walk away before jolting to a halt as the man grasped his wrist. Bruce skipped several steps at a time, not acknowledging the greetings thrown his way. He was almost to the bottom step when the lights went out, screams and bodies rushed around the room, banging into one another. Bruce attempted to navigate his way through the panicked crowd, his thoughts on the man he had seen just vanish from his sight. Shots rang out and Bruce froze as the light flashed back on. The man who had been talking to Dick was standing boldly, rifle in hand, eyes slitted with venom spilling into the atmosphere. How had he been able to enter? Bruce noticed the men standing behind the thug to see the guards that Bruce himself hired especially for tonight.

"Everyone on the floor." He shot the gun in the air. "Now!"

Bodies hit the floor as cries began to fill the room, the guards began to walk around poking people's backs with their guns causing a deep fear to wave across the room. Bruce quickly gave the room a glance around, his eyes finding his sons who was watching him in anger. A scream ripped through the room as a woman was dragged from her spot to the small group of hostages. Among them were two men who Bruce knew from several meeting at Wayne Industries, two women who were employees of Bruce's and the man he hoped had gotten away. Richard had his hands tied behind his back, his eyes watching the men, analysing their every move. Bruce knew neither him, Richard or Damian could use any of their abilities having to keep up their rich personas. Bruce felt helpless as the intruders tossed the men and women aside as they ripped the fortunes from their necks and wrists. Bruce felt a man pull his hair, his upper body lifting from the floor. He noticed Damian shift and gave him a stern gaze causing the boy to freeze. Bruce felt his wrist being examined and found himself being relieved of his rather expensive watch. The man gave him a quick cheeky slap on his cheek before letting his hair go.

"Sorry for interrupting the party." The leader spoke out as the thugs retreated. "We'll be on our way."

The men grabbed their hostages and made to leave when a man spoke out.

"My wife, please let her go."

A shot rang out, blood seeping onto the polished floor. The dead man's wife cried out, tears falling down her cheeks.

Bruce watched as the men carried the hostages away, his own blue eyes meeting Dick's whose orb were littered with guilt. It was clear the acrobat felt it was his fault, being captured so easily. Bruce shook his head, this wasn't Dick's fault if anything it was his own, he had interviewed and cleared each guard for the event. Bruce vowed he get his ward back and was determined to right his horrific wrong. The unwelcome visitors vanished and people began to rise from their positions, cautiously at first before rushing and running to the door as police cars and fire engines began to appear.

Damian had managed to stalk to Bruce's side, keeping his building anger at bay. "Tim is tracking them as we speak, Jason is heading to cut them off. We should be going."

"Let's go."


Following the obvious black van was easy, it was clear as crystal that it was a trap. Batman and Robin had met up with Red Hood and tailed the van to a small warehouse. While Red Robin was currently on route and warned them to be cautious.

Batman waited for either the good news or the bad when Damian's voice flittered through the radio.

"Grayson isn't here."

The Dark Knight's heart sunk, quickly joining the boy on the roof and glanced below letting a small growl emit from his mouth. Joker's fools of a gang, the unique masks had Batman clenching his fists. Robin went to move in when Batman clenched his arm to stop him.

"What are we waiting for?"

"We must wait for Red Robin."

"Oh come on, they're just some fools in masks that we've beaten multiple times with ease."

"We wait," Batman spoke calmly and clearly. Tim pulled up not two minutes later and joined the two upon the roof with Jason close behind.

"So what's the plan?" Red Hood asked.

"Turn the jewellery into police and find out where the hostages are."

"Great. Let's go." Jason smiled leaping down followed closely by Damian. The fight was quick and painless with Damian dragging a writhing body across the floor. Batman hung the man by his feet and began his interrogation.

"Where are the hostages?"

"Look I'm just a thug, the Joke's don't tell me shit."

"Let me rephrase the question," Batman spoke deadly, letting the suit do the intimidation. "Do you know where the hostages are?"

"Oh come on, I have no idea. Shit man."

"You must have overheard something." The thug gulped and let out a small squeal when Batman grasped his head in his hands."Where are the hostages?"

"I just overheard the Joker talking to his right-hand man about some apartment in downtown Gotham. That's all I know I swear!"

Batman let the man drop as Jason cut the wire and presented the thugs along with a bag of jewellery waiting neatly in pile for the police to arrive.

"Okay, so an apartment in downtown Gotham," Tim spoke rather hopelessly through the radio as he followed Jason on his motorbike. "There's thousands of them."

"Trial and error," Damian spoke, eyeing his father as he drove. "If we split up it'll be easier and faster to find Grayson."


When the hood was yanked from his head, Dick squinted, blinking several times to let his eyes adjust to the light. He glanced to his left to find the other hostages with him and turned right to see the man who caught his arm at the party.

"Well well well, what do we have here?"

Dick froze at the new voice. The icy yet hysterical unique tone of the Clown of Gotham, the shivering tingling laugh that echoed through the room. Dick watched as The Joker appeared through the darkness, clapping his hands slowly, each clap sending shudders through the acrobat's body.

"Good catch lads. Looks like we have ourselves a party."

The Joker eyed the men and women up and down, revelling in his masterpiece. Dick kept his features nonchalant, not letting The Joker take pleasure in making people tremble in terror.

"Wayne's ward," The Joker announced, flicking his shoulder lightly before bowing in mock respect. "It is an honour to finally make your acquaintance."

Dick shifted slightly as the man grasped his face, twisting it from side to side, analysing every aspect of his features. The clown then slowly caressed his jaw and a terrifying grin made its way to The Jokers face, the red paint of his smile send a shiver down Dick's spine.

"It's a shame that I'll have to kill you. But first, let's have some fun."


"Any luck?" Damian asked, hearing a disappointed grunt on the other end Damian sighed. "I'll take that as a no."

"No luck this side either Robin."

Damian clicked off the radio and stood up, glancing across the city, the shining lights almost blinding. "Where are you, Grayson?"


"Hey wait, what are you doing?"

Dick watched as The Joker all but dragged one of the hostages, an important looking man, across the room bringing him to the centre and tied the resisting man to the chair. Clicking his fingers, The Joker summoned a thug who handed the clown a huge and heavy looking bag. All eyes widened in both fear and alarm as The Joker heaved out what looked like a chainsaw and froze as the clown began to talk.

"Director of Wayne's Toys, you have something that I need."

Dick flinched and took a breath in as The Joker hacked off the man's hand, the clown almost falling in love with the man's excruciating screams. The Joker tossed the bloody hand to a big burly man who stuffed it into a plastic bag.

"Next." He giggled, turning to the blonde lady who Dick had met briefly. She was the executive of some part of Wayne Industries. Dick was never one to be interested in Bruce's work, it was all the man talked about and Dick had learnt to either block it out or change the subject. Now the acrobat had to watch as The Joker hauled the woman to yet another chair. This particular seat had head restraints which had Dick questioning the crazy man's tactics. The woman was choking back tears as the chains and leather straps were tightened and gulped as The Joker laughed maniacally the whole time. The red smiled clown plucked from his bag a small screwdriver like weapon delicately flicking it between his fingers as he smiled wickedly. He pressed a button on the weapon and the small metal rod split into five and began to whirl around at a great pace causing the woman to yelp in horror.

"What are you going to do?" She cried, attempting to flee from the chairs harsh clutches but unable to lift even a finger.

"An eye for an eye." Joker sang out, cackling as the woman screamed with pain as the clown dislodged the woman's eye and brought it to her face. "Don't you look lovely."

Dick was forced to watch as he continued to torture the hostages, removing both the governor's ear and his finger to get the man's ruby studded ring and shot the second woman for no particular reason.

"Last but not least the man of the hour. The piece to complete the puzzle. The one. The only. Richard Grayson!"

The Joker sang a small drum roll, skipping over to Dick and licked the side of his face. The Joker giggled at Dick's disgust and leant in close only to repel backwards when Dick head butted him hard. The Joker snarled and rushed at him, lifting the man's head and letting the knife nick at Dick's throat.

"You're walking on a tight line, I'd kill you right now but I need you."

"How so?" Dick managed to spill from his lips, brow raised in challenge.

"You can get me what I want. And for that, I won't kill our party guests."

Dick quickly dove into silence, the livelihood of the people before him depended on his actions. Dick didn't reply and cursed himself when The Joker seemed pleased with his answer and patted the acrobat's cheek a little too hard. The Joker grinned widely, arms flung out, head tossed back and let out a hysterical cackle.

"Let's see how flexible you really are!"