Chapter 2: Calling Home

Me: I have like…the whole story done so…

Disclaimer: The North Wind fans are gonna hear you, run!

Me: *hides*

Disclaimer: Omni doesn't own Young Justice, though she does now have both seasons on DVD \o/

Me: YAY! *ducks as a shoe comes out of nowhere*

Reviews:

Guest: I know that look, lol. Get it from my family all the time! One time, I swear my cat gave me that look.


Robin's first sensation was pain. He let out a low groan. His shoulders and wrists ached, and he felt a familiar wet and sticky sensation on his face, indicating how he'd been subdued. Pins and needles poked at his feet, and he had a killer headache.

"Robin? Are you awake?" he heard a familiar voice ask.

He opened his eyes, albeit with much difficulty, and looked around. His hands were chained together above his head, further attached to the ceiling by a pulley. His feet were shackled together and to the floor, but he wasn't gagged. Zatanna wore the same chains, but she had an inhibitor collar on her neck to stop her from casting spells.

"Yeah Zee, I'm up," he grumbled.

"Thank God," she breathed. "You've been out for—"

A wicked cackle filled the empty room.

Their captor had returned.


Wally was dreading this call. Batman was overprotective of his protégé as it was, but Bruce Wayne was even more overprotective of Dick Grayson.

'Kid? What is it?'

Thank the lord Barry had answered.

"Uncle Barry, I need to talk to Bats. It's about Robin," he requested solemnly.

'You'll have to wait. He's in Gotham tracking Joker, who broke out of Arkham last night—'

"I know he did. He was here, about forty minutes ago. He has Robin and Zatanna, but we don't know where. We waited to report in case we spotted him but no luck. He left a note, Robin's cape, and both their coms. We know at least one of 'em is injured too. He's threatened…promised to kill Robin this time," Wally cut him off.

Barry paled instantly, looking sick.

'I'll get him on the line.'

After a moment, he heard the roar of the Batmobile's motor. The man's face appeared on the screen.

'Speak.'

He was all business because it was Joker. There was no emotion behind the word.

"We kind of have a lead on Joker," he hedged.

'What do you mean kind of? Wally, I'm in no mood for—"

"He was here. At Mount Justice. We'd just gotten back from a mission and he went outside with Zatanna. I went out to check on him and found this," he held up the note.

Batman scanned it quickly with his eyes and for the first time Wally saw fear on the face of Gotham's most feared vigilante.

'I'm on my way.'

He hung up. Wally sighed, running a hand through his red hair.

This wasn't going to end well. Not for him, Robin, or anyone else.


Zatanna and Robin watched in anticipation as Joker turned the sharp butcher knife over and over in his gloved hands. He stalked towards Zatanna and traced it along her cheek.

"This your girlfriend Robin? How pretty," he murmured hauntingly. He pressed the blade down and she whimpered as it drew blood.

"No!" Robin shouted, struggling against his restraints as he began to laugh.

"Please don't hurt her! Do whatever you want to me just please don't hurt her!" he cried desperately.

The villain turned to him.

"Begging Robin? How pathetic," he smirked. "By all means, continue."

"I swear if you just let her go, I won't fight you. I'll let you do whatever you want to me, and I won't try to stop you. Just please don't hurt her," he pleaded.

He seemed to contemplate the boy's offer as Zatanna stared at him in horror.

"Fine, I won't hurt your precious girl little bird. But she stays right here," he smiled menacingly. "I want her to hear you sing."

He moved over to Robin, who braced himself as the knife sliced open his uniform.

He fought back a scream as he began to carve.

J

It stung. Blood leaked from the wound that began at his collarbone near the center of his chest.

O

He let out a small whimper of pain but still did not scream. He knew it was what he wanted, but Robin refused to give him the satisfaction.

K

Zatanna could hardly stand to watch. He was doing this for her. If—when—they made it out of this, she was going to kill him for being so stupid.

E

Joker was growing impatient but he held his rage back. He would get his way in this, one way or another.

R

Robin knew this wouldn't be the last of the torture. But he remained stoic as the madman began to cackle.

"Stop it, STOP IT!" Zatanna yelled tearfully. Unlike Robin, her father hadn't trained her not to show emotion. She was sobbing openly, and Robin knew the Joker was relishing the sound.

He sliced a line beneath the word, underlining his branding on the fourteen-year-old's chest.

"Well, that was fun. But you know what? I'm bored of that toy. Good thing I'm spoiled," he said, the words chilling both captives to the bone. He reached down and traded the knife for a gleaming crowbar. Zatanna bit her lip and closed her eyes, looking away as she heard the slam of the weapon against Robin's stomach. She heard him gasp for oxygen as the air was forced from his lungs. Before he could even catch his breath, she heard it once again. But this time it was worse.

She could hear the crack of his ribs.

And finally, he let out a wail of agony.

"Ah, there's that lovely voice I enjoy so much. You really should start a band," Joker sighed happily.

He punched Robin in the face and he tasted blood.

"Anything to say, Boy Wonder?" he asked as he finally drew air.

Robin looked up and spat the red liquid in his face.

"F-fuck you," he panted.

Joker scowled and hit him in the side with the crowbar, once again knocking the air from his body.

As he groaned, Joker wiped the blood from his face.

"So rude. And I thought you at least had some manners. And watch your language bird-brain," he reprimanded, shaking his index finger tauntingly.

Robin coughed and more blood spattered onto the floor.

Joker hit him again, and again, and again. After a few strikes, he moved on to Robin's legs. It was when he felt his shin-bone snap that he swore loudly.

And a single tear fell from beneath his mask. Joker saw it instantly.

"Crying Robin? Why I'm disappointed. And here I thought you Bats were better than this. Frankly, this whole playdate has been a bit underwhelming," he complained.

"Well, I'm feeling pretty whelmed," Robin huffed, smiling. His teeth were covered in blood, though the offending liquid already trickled down his chin.

Joker frowned.

"We'll just have to change that won't we?"

He backhanded Robin with a loud crack. Displeased that not so much of a gasp left the teen's lips, he moved to the side. He took hold of the chain that attached Robin's restraints to the pulley on the ceiling.

"Why should I get my hands dirty when I can just let the machines do the work for me?" he pondered aloud. He yanked and Robin groaned as his arms were pulled further. As the force increased, his leg began to protest and he whimpered.

Then came the gut-wrenching pop of his shoulders being ripped from their sockets.

He let out a bloodcurdling scream.


A/N

Disclaimer: …Damn.

Me: Should it bother me that I take such pleasure in writing torture scenes?

Disclaimer: Probably…yeah.

Me: Oh well. WEEEEE!

Disclaimer: *backs away slowly and gets in his car and drives away*

-SWGJOC227