It's time to face him.
Both Red Hood and Nightwing know it's a stupid decision, but what choice does he have? Nightwing feels that the Joker is forcing his hand, and Red Hood will always have his brother's back. Even if it means the bitter end of the Joker.
When Nightwing confronts their enemy, he learns important information about a plot that could be devastating if they're too late. The intel will hopefully be enough to placate Bruce upon their return, but Nightwing has an even greater adversary to face- his girlfriend.
"I know you can hear me, you son of a bitch," Nightwing said calmly, an edge to his voice. There was silence on the other end of the comm. When the Joker had stolen Robin's, Batman had changed the encrypted channels and given them all new communicators, but Nightwing had kept his old one. "Answer me," he breathed. The comm couldn't be tracked when it was offline. It hadn't come online since the night the Joker had kidnapped Robin.
"I've been waiting for you to call," the Joker hissed. Nightwing shuddered, glancing up at Red Hood. He was hidden in the balcony of the abandoned library, sniper rifle at the ready. A thumbs-up let Nightwing know that he'd heard loud and clear. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"The abandoned library in downtown Gotham. Know it?"
"Sentimental, are we?" The Joker laughed, a horrible, shrill sound that made Nightwing's blood run cold. "That's where we had our first encounter at the beginning of this whole mess, you, me, the bird, and the bat."
"That's right. You have ten minutes to be here."
"Really? You think I'll fall for that?"
"Batman isn't here. He… he doesn't know I'm talking to you." Nightwing looked down guiltily. The Joker let out an ominous laugh.
"So that's what this is about. Give me five, Darling, I just need a moment to freshen up," he quipped, and the line went dead. Nightwing pulled out his comm and looked up at Red Hood.
"We talk. If he tries anything, you shoot him in the face."
"Consider it done," he replied. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"No. But either way, we're one step closer to the end of this nightmare. If he overtakes me and you kill him, it's over. If we talk- we have to make sure we get something useful. Maybe Batman will only beat us within an inch of our lives."
"But Harley will be sure to finish us off," Red Hood muttered.
"That's true. So we don't tell her." Nightwing looked down.
"She'll find out. It's what she's like," the Joker said wistfully, stepping out of the shadows. Nightwing tensed. "She always finds out."
"You don't know her," Nightwing said simply. "Here's how this is going to work-"
"-save it, kid," Joker shook his head. "I heard the whole thing. We'll chat, if I try anything, copycat there will put a bullet in my brain. So let's talk," he laughed, shoving his hands in the pockets of his tailored purple coat. His hair hung down over his forehead in loose mossy curls, dark makeup encircling his eyes and scarlet smudged over his lips. Nightwing's eyes narrowed behind his mask.
"What the hell is your obsession? I know Harley was…" Nightwing did everything he could to avoid saying 'yours'. "Why are you coming after us, and not doing anything?" Joker laughed, his smile menacing.
"Oh I am doing something, Boy Wonder. You see, Harley was mine. She belonged to me." He ran a hand across his jaw. "And while I admit I may not have been the most attentive… lover," he said the word slyly, "while she was with me, I've realized my mistake. But you," Joker hissed, "stole her from me, and I don't like other people playing with my things."
"She doesn't belong to anyone," Nightwing said, fighting to keep a level head. "So that's what this is about? Petty revenge? I 'stole' her, and now you're coming after me for it?" Joker chuckled quietly.
"Oh you simple little buffoon. Nothing is ever that easy. Harley would have come back to me if not for your… distractions. You with your moral words and shiny- ring." He watched Nightwing closely. "She matched- matches me perfectly. Oh the things we did together. You should have seen it… well I guess you did. She enjoyed it; I enjoyed it. You can't change her no matter how much the two of you pretend. Playing house. Nothing will change the fact that she belongs to me- with me. She was perfect, and you ruined her."
"I saved her," Nightwing snapped, taking a step towards him. Red Hood tensed, watching his partner carefully as he restrained himself. "Why is it not that simple? What angle are you playing, Joker?"
"I don't think you understand, Romeo. I had everything." The Joker looked almost thoughtful. "A beautiful woman who I loved more than anything. She thought I was funny, and everything was perfect. And now she's gone," Joker sighed. "I lost everything." He was silent for a moment. "And then you took the only distraction I had. It's enough to drive anyone crazy. I mean, just think about it. I haven't done anything- except a tiny little scratch," he glanced at the cut on Nightwing's neck, "and here you are, willing to make a deal with the devil. Am I getting to you?" Joker cackled happily. "Just the thought of me has you and Batsy so tangled up, you can't even see what's happening in front of your face. You're missing a big question, and you can't even see it, can you? Hmm?"
"I'm sick of the cryptic answers and the games. I want clear answers," Nightwing demanded. "What are you planning? Do you mean the Mad Hatter?"
"Nail on the head," Joker told him cheerily. "You all have been focused on catching me, but who's been focused on Hatter?" He laughed. "Wonderful little arrangement we have going really. While I get to play with you fine folks, you've completely ignored him and his little Wonderland."
"So that's it," Nightwing breathed. "You're torturing Harley, attacking me- as a diversion?" Joker laughed at him.
"Happy accident."
"Well I'm done with it," Nightwing snapped. Red Hood shifted his gun a bit. "Leave us alone. I know that you convince Batman that death is what you want. That if he does kill you, he loses; you get what you want. You'll be dead and you'll have corrupted the one good man in Gotham, but that isn't true. You don't want to die. And he can't be corrupted. Especially if you never get the chance to ruin him. Leave Harley alone, or I will kill you. I'll go against his wishes, against her wishes, and I'll end you."
"But the question is: Can you kill me before I get to her?" The Joker stared at him. "You don't know my resources or my goal. For all you know, I could have my own little gun trained on her right now," he waved his hand toward Red Hood. "Do you even know where she is after your little squabble outside the theatre earlier? But it's nice to see the limits you'll go to protect her." He paced around Nightwing like he was examining something entirely new. "I plan on using that to my advantage."
Nightwing tensed, turning his head slightly to watch the Joker pace around him. "Maybe I'm wasting my time with threats. Maybe we should just kill you now."
"And maybe if I don't come out of this alive, I have someone waiting to kill your lovely little Juliet. I believe they call this a standoff." Joker smirked.
"I swear if you touch her-" Nightwing's voice wavered in fury.
"-Dick, maybe you should calm down…" Red Hood whispered over the comms.
"If I touch her?" Joker burst into a loud fit of laughter. "Boy, what delusions do you have?" He wiped tears of mirth away. "Who do you think that costume was for?" he smirked. "Even when I knew she didn't love me anymore, and she was just lying to get her information, but..." Joker chuckled darkly. "Always remember who came before you."
"You sick, twisted son of a-" Nightwing took a step towards him, but a gunshot echoed and a bullet bit the concrete between he and the Joker. They both looked up at Red Hood.
"Don't get any closer, Dick," he said calmly into the comms. Nightwing breathed deeply, calming himself with incredible effort.
"So this is some distraction. From what, exactly? From Hatter kidnapping and releasing people into the streets?"
"Or maybe he's the distraction," Joker countered. "You just never know," he mock sighed. "I do hope you figure it out in time, Romeo. I'd hate for you to miss the punchline," he cackled.
"Your comedy isn't really my taste." Nightwing glared at him furiously. "You want everyone to smile, to laugh- truth is, you're a shitty comedian." Joker licked his lips, the smile fading.
"I only kill when it's funny, and you're turning your life into the biggest joke. You'd better watch out." He suddenly beamed again, shoving one hand in his pocket. "Of course, the question would be how to do it. You're just asking for it to be fast and immediate, but… I want to take my time. Kill you slowly. Watch you suffer. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. After all, that is what your little girlfriend is known for enjoying."
"Not. Anymore." Nightwing steadied his breathing, glaring at him. His fists clenched at his sides. "She's beyond your control. She isn't the same person anymore."
"People never really change. I'll prove that." Joker smiled darkly.
"You're the evil one here. She was just swayed. You're-"
"-the villain? In this twisted game of yours?" Joker hissed, grinning. "Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue."
In one swift motion, Nightwing grabbed the Joker's collar, pulling him gruffly forward. Before he could open his mouth, a female's laugh cut through the air. Nightwing froze in terror, fearing the worst- when Red Hood cried out from the balcony. Nightwing looked up at him, and he was gone; a split second later a figure in a black jacket appeared where Red Hood had been, an arm stretched back. Nightwing screamed as something exploded against his hand. He released the Joker, and another projectile hit him in the face, bursting as it cracked the lens of his mask and he fell backwards.
Whatever had hit him oozed through the cracks in the mask, stinging his eye and leaving him dazed for a moment. He gasped, looking at his hand; red dripped over the scarlet stripe on his wrist. Paint. He'd been hit with a paintball. Nightwing shot to his feet.
"Red Hood! Red- Jay!? Where are you!?" He rushed towards the balcony stairs. Red Hood groaned from the floor beside him and he turned, spotting his jacket in a pile of books. He tore the books away from him.
"She got the jump on me- threw me over the balcony-" he groaned, gasping.
"Shit, are you okay? Are you okay!?" Nightwing demanded, yanking his mask off. He rubbed a hand over his burning eyes, red paint dripping down his cheek.
"I think so, but am I blind?" he asked. The lenses in his mask were covered in blue paint.
"No, you're fine," Nightwing breathed, wiping the paint off of Jason's mask. "We need to get back to the Batcave. I know we weren't going to tell Batman, really but… Jay, this is big."
"He's going to be so pissed," Red Hood groaned.
"You don't have to be involved," Nightwing helped him up. Red Hood cried out, favoring his left leg. "We just need to get back to the Manor."
"I'm not going to make you face this alone," he objected. "But we're stopping at Dairy Queen, and you're buying me a sundae."