AN: so I know it's been a while *dodges flying rotten tomato*. Just informing you guys that I haven't actually written the rest of this story yet so chapter updates make take longer than usual. I'm kinda conscious of this chapter and i don't know if it's as good as my others but hopefully will get better.
I will NOT be abandoning this so don't worry! anyway please enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: see chapter one.
Nightwing's breaths were rough and uneven. His screaming stopped two hours ago but he continued to clutch his head, still shaking like before. Robin sat next to him, his knees hiding his face.
The door to the warehouse swung open and Deathstroke, Poison Ivy, Count Vertigo and Joker walked in (well Joker pranced in) trigger in hand.
"I see the probes are still working. Well no matter. Tell us what we want to know. Now" Deathstroke said a small grin present behind his mask.
The white of Nightwing's mask went wide for a second before returning to normal. The hero rose to his feet, using Robin for support as his body continued to shake. He glared at them and spat at their feet. "Screw… you." He growled coldly. Joker tutted and walked over to the hero followed by Deathstroke. "Grab him." Stated Joker in an almost perfect impression of the dark knight's voice. He giggled before straightening his suit.
Deathstroke nodded before taking a step closer to the two heroes and roughly grabbed Nightwing's throat, squeezing tightly. Nightwing grunted as he was dragged away from his brother.
The hero gave his younger brother a look that could only mean 'get out'.
Robin nodded as tears welled in his eyes. He then ran up to Nightwing, quickly grabbed his belt and grappled into the shadows of the rafters, looking back over his shoulder to see Deathstroke's grip on Nightwing tighten further in frustration at what the two heroes had just done, then Joker pushed the trigger again, a grin growing on his face as Nightwing cried out in pain as Deathstroke dropped him and he started to curl in on himself once again.
"I'll come back Dick… just be alright when I do." he quietly whispered turning away from his writhing brother and silently exiting the warehouse via window.
Outside, the night was cold against the young hero's face. Rain soaked Robin the second he was out the warehouse making the young teen shiver. He grappled onto another building, trying to get away from the warehouse, where his brother's screams were emitting from.
They were so loud. Even outside they were almost crystal clear. Robin shuddered before shaking his head and continuing towards the closest zeta-tube.
-At the cave—
"Recognised. Robin B20."
Everyone was startled at the sudden female voice that pulled them from their thoughts. Immediately, Batgirl jumped up and ran to the Zeta-tube's, followed shortly after by the rest of the team. When they reached the tubes, the saw Robin panting. The third boy wonder had a bruise on his cheek, small cuts scattered his body and his hands were covered in blood along with one of his shoulders.
"Robin! We need to get you to the med bay." Exclaimed M'gann when she saw the young hero. Robin shook his head before Batgirl enveloped him into a hug.
"B….blood." stuttered Beast Boy, who went pale at the sight of the third boy wonder. "It's not mine… Di-Nightwing's hurt. Really badly. I don't know how much longer he can last. They did something to him…. we have to go help, before it's too late."
-With Nightwing-
Two hours since Robin's escape
"Well Wing Nut, because you're being so selfish and not sharing with us, we decided it would be best if I continue our playdate alone." Joker smiled widely as he walked over to the hero.
Nightwing had vines wrapped around his wrists and ankles, pinning him to the floor, thanks to a certain red headed plant lover. Underneath the hero was a crimson red batman insignia, painted in the hero's pooling blood. Nightwing was shouting out in pain as he tried to curl in on himself, the probes only now starting to deactivate. A camera was set up opposite the hero.
The clown prince of Gotham grinned as he walked over to where the metal rod from where it had been unceremoniously thrown near the door. Joker brought the rod crashing down onto Nightwing's chest, which was still wide open thanks to his vine restraints. The white of Nightwing's mask grew large as fresh blood trickled out the corner of his mouth.
"Are you sure Joker? The mini League is sure to be on their way." Count Vertigo said as the others left the warehouse. Joker waved over his shoulder dismissively replying "It's always fun when I get new play things." With a nod, Vertigo left the clown and hero.
"So… now it's only you and me… how about a song?!" he said, tightening his grip on the rod. Nightwing glared at the Joker. "How… about… no." he gasped weakly, managing to break the vines restraining both his arms and legs during Joker's brief "conversation" with Count Vertigo.
"Not an option Bird Brain. Stay still and stop trying to escape. Her we go~!
If you're happy and you know it
Beat the birdie."
THUMP
"If you're happy and you know it
Beat the birdie!"
THUD
"If you're happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it
Beat the BIRDIE! Hahaha!"
THUMP
THUD
CRACK
Nightwing grit his teeth, trying desperately to supress the scream that was threatening to escape his lips, the hero now lying on his side. Joker frowned at the lack of reaction Batman's first protégé was giving.
"That sounded painful. So why aren't you singing? Huh Wing Nut? WHY. AREN'T. YOU. SINGING?!" with each emphasis Joker hit Nightwing in the chest using the metal rod, earning only a pained grunt from the injured hero.
Joker stepped back panting. Nightwing saw black once again starting to seep into his vision as his breaths began to get even shallower. Joker pranced back over to the hero with his head held high. "I think someone needs a little more team spirit! I know! We'll play a game! It's called 'Shock Truth'! Ready? Here are the rules... first. I bring over the metal surgical table, and you hop on."
Saying this, Joker walked to the far side of the warehouse and came back dragging said table. He then gripped the ebony's throat and threw him onto the table, strapping the hero's wrists and legs to the table using leather straps. Joker himself now wore a doctor's uniform with a surgical mask and wide crazy eyes. "Then, I attach these to the table…"
The clown prince of Gotham smiled as he grabbed two alligator clamps (probably the same ones from earlier) and attached them to two of the legs of the metal table. "Okay this is where you come in! Now, you have to tell me the truth or I flip this switch and electricity… well, you get the idea.
"So first question! Do your parents approve of this hero gig thing?" Joker asked curiously watching the teen's reaction. The clown frowned when he didn't get an answer. Sighing, he started circling Nightwing like a shark would its prey. "Answer the question birdie!" still no answer.
"Fine." Joker growled as he pushed the switch connected to the table. Immediately, electricity surged through Nightwing's body. The hero let out an antagonized scream that he had only been able to supress for a few milliseconds. Joker's grin grew wider as he watched the hero's back arch. After a minute or two Joker flipped the switch again, the electric current stopping its flow through Nightwing's body.
Nightwing would have sighed in relief if he wasn't struggling to breathe.
Joker smiled playfully asking his next question. "Next question! Do your parents even know about this part of your life? The "hero" part?" again Joker didn't get an answer. Said clown sighed, running a hand through his green hair. He stopped pacing immediately when Nightwing's pained gasps turned into low growls.
"Oh, they don't do they?! Oh, you bad birdie! Another shock for you for being naughty and keeping secrets. Hmmm… I think I'll turn this up more…" saying this, Joker upped the voltage dial to almost full before flipping the switch again, eliciting an antagonized scream from the hero.