Hi again :)

God, it's hot, isn't it? :)

Thanks to these awesome reviewers:

Truthful Blasphemy: Here's a quick update for you! If you like peril/torture, I think you will continue to enjoy this :) Please review again and let me know :)

Marvelous Cyanide Rose: Thanks so much for another great review, and your welcome for the mention! I'm so pleased you like my story :) Enjoy this chapter!

whatthe526: I really appreciate your support hun :) I'm glad you are enjoying this, please review again!

CamelotCasper: Thanks so much the review :) Korse is good to write, bad characters are always fun! Hope you enjoy this chapter, please let me know :)

Okay, carrying on... Thanks so much to everyone who is reading this :)

Burning Star

Part Three

Party was lying on his back, his gaze locked on a dirty mark on the ceiling. Korse was stood away from him, staring out of the wreckage that had once been the doorway.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" The older man said, thoughtfully, as he gazed out at the sunshine.

Party frowned. He glanced in Korse's general direction. "It's a desert," he replied. "Everything is a desert. I hate it."

Korse pursed his lips. "But I assumed you loved your 'no man's land', Party Poison." He chuckled as he spoke. "You rats do like to spend all your time prowling around out there, playing in the sand, don't you?"

Party could feel his hackles rising once again but he contained his anger and instead, knowing it would frustrate the bastard more, merely smirked. "What's the matter, Korse?" He asked, grimacing from the pain caused by the effort it took him just to turn over and regard his enemy. "Did we get under your skin?"

Korse's cheeks reddened. He moved closer. "I'd worry more about what's about to be under your skin if I were you, Poison."

Party stared coldly at the other man through his one good eye. Korse glared back. Finally, the Killjoy glanced away, and once again gazed upwards. He didn't see the point in replying. He knew Korse was attempting to gain a reaction from him, he wanted to see that tiny sign of fear again. Party was adamant that, no matter how scared he was, he would not show any further weakness to Korse. It was what Korse got off on, and Party refused to repeat that pleasure. Party knew only too well what was coming, and he could only hope that he was prepared when the next wave of agony hit him. He knew it was a pointless wish - no one could deal with such horrendous torture.

Not even the Doctor.

Not even Frankie.

He gave himself a small shake. What good was thinking about Frank going to do him now? Frank was not going to come for him. None of them were. In situations like this, his instructions had always been clear:

If we lose one man, we can't afford to lose any more. So, we move on.

It was harsh and it was cold. But then, they were at war; there was no other option open to them.

But, of course, none of the Killjoys had been unlucky enough (or stupid enough, depending how one looked at it) to get themselves caught before. Would he actually have been able to leave any of them behind if he had to make the choice? If push had come to shove, would he have been able to drive away, leaving his brother, lover and best friend to suffer or die?

He didn't know the answer, though he had a good idea.

"Party, did you hear me?"

He was pulled out of his musings abruptly. His gaze flickered over to Korse, who leaned against the wall now, watching him.

"I asked you how you were feeling."

Party rolled his eyes. "What are you now? My psychiatrist?"

Korse laughed loudly, and Party cringed at the sound.

"You must be in some serious discomfort," The exterminator continued. "The effects of that drug are quite devastating…"

"Inject yourself with it and find out." The Killjoy spat, interrupting him. Korse's eyes narrowed but he didn't respond.

"And," he carried on, "You took quite a beating. Cracked a rib, unless I am mistaken."

Party clenched his fists. "You should know," he hissed. "You did it to me."

Korse grinned but acted as if he hadn't heard Party's words.

"I can ease your suffering. All you have to do is answer some questions for me." His smile faded. "It would be unwise for you to deny me, Gerard."

"I told you," Party snarled, "That's not my name anymore."

Korse shrugged. "Well then, whatever you wish to be known as, let's try this again: Where are the other Killjoys?"

Party gestured theatrically. "How should I know? Do you see them in here?"

Korse's mouth twitched. "Where is your nearest hide-out to this town?"

"Depends." Party tossed his hair back. "What town is this again?"

The Exterminator stepped closer. "Don't be a fool, Gerard."

Party didn't answer.

"Way!" Korse snapped. "This attitude won't help you, you know."

Still, there was no response.

"Party Poison!"

Party banged his fist down on the floor. "Fucking fantastic! Well done, Korse. You do know my name after all."

Korse let out a loud sigh. He then held up the shooter once more for Party to see.

"Is this really how you want it to go?" He asked him.

Party could feel a slight tremor inside, but he had to ignore it. He couldn't give in to his panic; he had to withstand this, for all of their sakes.

"I won't tell you anything," he whispered. "Whatever you do to me."

Korse reached out to take hold of Party's arm, but this time the Killjoy knew what to expect. He kicked and struggled, trying to force the torturer away from him. His small show of resistance snapped the two Dracs still in the room to attention and they hurried over, each grabbing one of the desperate Killjoy's arms and holding him still.

Now, he was helpless.

And Korse took the opportunity to punch Party, right above his injured rib.

An anguished scream tore from Party's throat. He honestly believed he could have passed out from the pain.

Korse nodded approvingly, grabbed Party's arm and once again shot the tiny dart into his victim's arm. And then, with a wave of his hand, the Dracs released Party and stepped back.

Just like last time, the effect was almost immediate. Party writhed at Korse's feet, and screamed constantly as wave after torturous wave of pure agony swept through him. Oh God, it hurt. It hurt more than Party had ever believed possible.

And as he lay there, tears streaming down his contorted face, for the first time ever, Party Poison wished for death.

He could hear Korse's voice demanding answers from him. He seemed so far away but yet his words were loud and clear.

"You brought this on yourself, Gerard. I can end this agony; I can stop it right now. Just tell me where the remaining Killjoys are."

Was he shaking his head? Party didn't know. He had no control over his body. But his mind, that was still his. And he knew he couldn't answer that voice.

'He'll hurt Frank. I can't let him hurt Frank, or Mikey. Ray is there too. Ray would stay strong. They all would. I've got to get through this for them.'

The voice was closer now. Right by his ear.

"How long do you think you can hold out, Way?"

"I–I..." He couldn't speak. Just trying to form words made his head feel like it was ready to explode.

"Then tell me this, Killjoy. The girl who is running with you, who is she?"

Party was not screaming now, his throat was hurting, and he presumed he had lost his voice. He could only croak and gasp when he was seized by the latest agonising attack. He would not answer. He couldn't.

Korse, who had been kneeling beside the tortured man, grew impatient for answers. He moved so he was crouching over his stricken enemy, and then he placed his hands on either side of Party's head, and pulled the man's head up.

Party, horrified by the added pressure, began to scream again.

"Tell me!" Korse shouted, and spittle rained down on him.

"I don't know..."

'Stop. You have to stop. It hurts'.

Korse tightened his grip. "Don't lie to me, rebel!"

Party could only whimper in anguish. He couldn't take any more. His head was on fire, and Korse was slowly attempting to crush his skull. The intensity of it was all-consuming. He couldn't see any end to the agony he was experiencing so he had to follow the instructions. All he had to do was answer the voice and the pain would go away. He had no alternative now. He had to stop the torment. "I don't know anything!" He gasped out. "She's just a girl the Doc told me I had to find and protect for him."

Korse's eyes blazed.

At last. A break through.

He probed further, still not releasing his hold, relishing the knowledge that the other man's resolve was finally cracked. "What's her name?"

Party whimpered. He covered Korse's hands with his own, trying to pull them away but he was far too weak to bother his captor. "Grace..." He mumbled.

Korse leaned closer. "Why does he need her?" He shook his victim, and gained yet another cry. "Why is she so important?"

"Let me go!"

"Tell me why he sent you to find her!"

"I don't know!"

"Where does she come from?"

"I TOLD YOU I DON'T FUCKING KNOW!" He was shouting now. Every part of him was screaming. He needed this to stop. One way or another, he wanted out.

But Korse would not let up on him.

"Tell me!"

Party could feel the tears sliding down his cheeks. He knew he was breaking but, at that moment, he didn't care; the shame no longer mattered. All he wanted was to be free of the non-stop torment he was enduring.

He squinted up at Korse, desperation in his eyes.

"Please." He pleaded. "We were sent to find her and get her to the base. I don't know anything else. Stop it!" He let out a low sob before repeating, "Please!"

Korse was satisfied. He'd finally made some progress with the arrogant little maggot. He shook his head in disdain, and slowly loosened his hold. "Pathetic," he snarled. "Call yourself a leader? Look at you."

Party could only whimper in response. His eyes were tightly closed. He longed for the darkness to claim him, to take him far away, somewhere he would be safe, away from Korse and his questions, away from the constant torture. He could feel himself fading.

And then, the powerful grip on his head was gone, and the next thing he knew, he was slumped back on the ground, his body screaming in outrage. The pain faded at last, but every part of him still trembled uncontrollably. He curled up in on himself, trying to keep his beaten and aching body away from the man he could now sense was standing over him. Taking a deep breath, Party opened his eyes nervously to indeed find Korse towering above him, a look of deep satisfaction on his face.

"Everyone has a breaking point, Gerard Way," he taunted. "And it seems you have reached yours. I am slightly disappointed, I was certain you would hold out until level five, at least." He placed the shooter against Party's throat. "Why don't you beg some more for me, sweetheart? You're so pretty when you're terrified."

Party knew he was visibly trembling but he couldn't help it. Another thing he knew was that there was no way he could handle another dose of that drug. And judging by the expression of triumph he saw on Korse's face, he knew his enemy was also only too aware that there was precious little fight left in the Killjoy. Korse dropped to his knees, placing a hand on Party's chest, and gently moving it down the younger man's body. Party felt sick to his stomach but he couldn't resist. His limbs would not obey him when he tried to move away. It was as if his body no longer belonged to him.

'It's because I belong to Korse now.'

"You have two minutes to get your breath back and then we will begin again," he purred. "Don't tell me I'm not merciful." He flashed another cruel, toothy smile, and then proceeded to twirl his fingers around the Killjoys red hair once again. "You know you can't resist me now, don't you Party? There is no choice for you here, you will tell me everything I want to know about your fellow Killjoy scum, and your beloved 'Broadcaster'." He moved his hand to Party's face, and gently caressed his cheek. Party hated himself. Why couldn't he force the bastard off of him? How could he just sit there and take this sick man's touch like this? Korse seemed to read Party's inner struggle.

"Because," he added; "If you are stupid enough to refuse me again," and all of a sudden he struck out violently, and hit the young man hard across the face, earning another cry of anguish from his victim. "I will ensure that you regret ever learning the name Doctor Death Defying." He tilted his head, smirking evilly. "Do I make myself clear?"

There was a moment's silence while Party refused to respond or even look at him. When the Killjoy did finally meet his gaze once more, Korse was astonished, and actually impressed, to see a tiny flicker of defiance in those blackened and beaten eyes.

It seemed Party Poison was not quite done after all.

"You'll never make me regret any of it," Party told him firmly. "You'll have to kill me before I betray the Doc or the Killjoys." He managed a pained smile. "Is that clear, motherfucker?"

Korse bristled. He raised his hand to strike Party again, but Party didn't flinch.

"Running out of ideas already?" Party taunted.

Korse saw red. He growled, and gripped the other man by the throat.

"You are going to be so very sorry." He whispered, and raised the shooter. "Level seven, perhaps? How long do you think you will last before you descend into madness?"

Party swallowed hard, and tried to prepare himself for the fate he knew was coming.

And then, both men froze. The stand-off was suddenly interrupted by the sound of Korse's wrist communicator. The high pitched noise ripped through Party and he covered his ears, trying to block out the noise.

Korse stood, stepping away from Party. He then pressed down on the device and moved his wrist closer to speak.

"Korse here."

"Korse, I have been waiting. I want your report."

Party looked up. It was a woman's voice. He recognised her accent. She was the woman from BLI's patronising little propaganda schemes: the Japanese woman with the hard face and cold eyes. Party had never liked her. Was she Korse's boss?

"I have captured the leader of the Killjoys and I am questioning him now."

"What have you learned from the rebel?"

Korse glanced down at his prisoner. "He has divulged some information about the girl that has been spotted running with his gang."

"Who is she?"

"He doesn't know."

"Helpful."

Party almost smiled. He could see how uncomfortable Korse was and he was enjoying seeing the bastard squirm.

"He will give up more information. He is the rebel leader known as Party Poison; Doctor Death has let him into his confidence. I just need some more time, he will tell me everything."

"You are out of time, Korse. There are too many Draculoids away from the City. If the rebel groups were to attack us now in large numbers, we would be unprotected. You know how important tomorrow is. We go global with the latest products. Your little personal vendetta against the Killjoys will have to wait. Now, end it and return at once. Do you understand?"

Party closed his eyes. He understood what that meant: she had just ordered his execution. He thought of Frankie, Mikey and Ray, and hoped they would be okay.

"I can find out more from him!" Korse was arguing. "I can catch all of them. He's too useful just to kill!" Party opened his eyes again. As he listened to Korse pushing for his life to spared, Party wondered what would actually be more merciful to him. Whatever Korse had had in mind for him would not have been good, yet this woman wanted to spare him any more suffering. Not that she gave a fuck about him obviously, but Party would happily take what he could get.

"He is a rebel, Korse. There are plenty of rebels out there. Find another one." Her tone became scathing. "It is your fault that you have only managed to capture a grand total of five in all the time you have been trusted with the task of hunting them down."

"Listen to me! To kill this one is a waste. We have a Killjoy, one of the most well-known of all the rebels. He has contact with the Broadcaster himself. We can use him to our advantage. You must reconsider!"

The line went quiet. Both Korse and Party waited.

Finally, she spoke again.

"Very well. But no more interrogation. I need you back here. Bring him to me. I can scan his brain for the information we need."

Party's heart sank. He had heard of this machine before; they would be able to see images right inside his mind, he wouldn't be able to resist. They would know everything he knew. The Killjoys and the Doc had hoped that the rumours that BLI now had such technology at their disposal was a myth. Obviously not. And now they were going to use it on him.

Korse looked almost gleeful.

"And once you've scanned him, I request that you then turn him back over to me," he continued. "For reprogramming."

"No," Party whispered. Korse looked over at him, and smiled.

"He is a Killjoy," the woman was stating. "Reprogramming will fail in his case. His resolve is likely too strong to be conditioned. He will reject the process."

Korse's eyes shone as he fixed Party with a knowing smile.

"Not if I break him first."

She had clearly heard enough. "He is your prisoner, Korse. Do as you wish. But I want you to leave as soon as possible. And see that the towners there forget everything they have witnessed. Use the mind-altering drugs if necessary."

"Of course." He replied and then the connection was broken.

Still smiling grimly at the captured Killjoy, Korse pressed his communicator once more, and this time a Drac answered the call.

"Yes, Sir?"

"We will be leaving very shortly. We will also be transporting the prisoner back to the city. Make sure the vehicle is prepared."

"Will we be leaving any of our numbers behind, Sir?"

"Some, to administer drugs to these people. Order all Dracs to round up the townsmen and women, and hold them until I am ready."

"Yes, Sir."

Korse cancelled the call, and then turned to regard his now clearly fearful prisoner.

"So," he mused. "How should I go about breaking you, Gerard?"

Party didn't correct him this time. Instead he edged backwards, grunting in pain, until his back was touching the wall behind him.

"Fuck you." He managed, though somewhat weakly.

He quickly realized his error.

Korse titled his head, and chuckled softly. "What a good idea," he replied.

Party blinked.

He wouldn't...

Korse walked slowly towards Party. He paused only a few feet away from him and then leaned forward and pressed his lips against the astonished, and completely disgusted, Party Poison's, forcing him into a bruising kiss.

When he broke away, Korse could see, to his utter pleasure, that Party was truly terrified.

"Why so scared?" Korse asked him quietly, "All I want is to get to know you some more..." and once again stroked the younger man's face in an imitation of affection.

Then he slowly licked his lips.

TBC