CHAPTER 2:
'If Wally were here, he would make some smart quip and Robin would make fun of Batman through the mental link, but they're not here and they may never come back again' Artemis' lonely thought appeared in her mind as Kaldur explained what happened, to Batman and Flash.
Batman was not at all pleased with his short and disinformative report, heavy on the dis. Batman glared coldly at the children, running every possible scenario through his head and only coming up with unpleasant ones while Flash frantically paced back and forth around the watchtower, trying to calm himself down and only managing to psyche himself out.
"How are we supposed to find them if we just stand around here talking!?" Conner demanded.
Before Batman could answer the screen fuzzed out and cleared to see Robin and Kid Flash tied to a pole. Kid Flash's hands were tied at the bottom of the pole and Robin's over his head. They both had a white cloth between their teeth as a gag and looked very angry. The team had never seen their two most optimistic members like this and it scared them, but it clearly didn't scare their captor as laughter rang out, loud and excited laughter. Everyone's spine ran cold, but Batman got it the worst.
"Hello, Bats and kiddies, that includes you speedster" Joker stepped near Robin.
Wally looked beyond mad, his electric green eyes ablaze with fury and his fiery red hair definitely emphasized that. Robin didn't seem anywhere near as angry as Wally and only Batman could tell that he was in pain.
"So, Batman up for another one of our oh-so-lovely games?"
"You hurt those kids and I'll-"
"Oh, blah, blah, blah, enough with the threats! I mean, when have they ever stopped me before? Besides it's already a little late now" Joker glanced slyly at Robin.
Batman's eyes narrowed down to slits and he ran through the best, most painful ways to make Joker pay.
"What are you going to do to them!?"Artemis demanded, holding her bow tightly.
"Oh, archer girl! A pleasure to finally meet you, even if it's only through a camera"
"I can assure you, the pleasure is yours alone"
"Hm, feisty little one"
"I'll show you feisty-" Artemis clenched her fists.
"How do you intend to do that if you don't even know where I am?"
The Joker laughed when no-one answered "I think I'll just let that question hang around. Have fun trying to find me. Well times up, see ya round" Joker's dark laugh echoed around the room before the transmission ended.
Conner stared at the ground, sadness evident in his dull blue eyes, Kaldur remained blank faced but on the inside he was hurting just as bad as the others and believed it was his fault, Artemis was completely discouraged and sat back on the lounge, her eyes gleaming with fear, M'gann was leaning against the bench for support, the emotions of herself and everyone around flooding her brain, Flash was pacing even faster, causing Batman to worry that he might break the time barrier and travel somewhere else, Batman was just as scared as the others, if not more, considering all the past things Joker's done...
'The Joker is a complete psychotic, homicidal maniac and he would have no problem with killing Wally and Dick but he'll want to torture them first. He can't resist making people suffer. I'll make that sick bastard pay' Batman promised himself.
"So, what now?" Artemis lifted her head up to look Batman in the eyes, with her own despondent pair.