Here is chapter 9 sorry for the long delay.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice
'Lady and gentleman welcome to the Jokers house of wonderment, where you will be amazed, shocked and completely horrified that you will feel like tearing your own eyes out but don't worry we will do that for you'.
Nightwing and Stanley just sat there in silence as the Joker wheeled his shopping cart full of horrors into the room. He was wearing a white lab coat and surgical gloves. He stopped at the table that had been set up in the middle room earlier. He began to layout various tools on the table including tweezers, electrodes, pliers, clamps and other tools for poking and prodding whilst inflicting as much pain as possible.
The Joker turned around and faced his two prisoners. He gave them his signature grin and spread his arms wide revealing a vast selection of knives under his lad coat. Stanely's eyes widened in terror at the prospect but Nightiwng's face remained an emotionless mask as he never broke eye contact with the Joker.
'What do I have something on my face?' he asked in response to their stares.
Neither of them responded to his question and he just shrugged and began to remove the knives from his jacket and place them on the table. Nightwing looked over at Stanley who appeared to be on the verge of bursting into tears. 'She's going to break easily' Nightwing thought 'that's going to be bad because he won't get any enjoyment from her and will kill her sooner'.
The Joker had finally finished off laying each tool on the table. He turned to them and opened his arms wide. His mouth curved into his signature sick, twisted smile. He looked at them playfully.
'So kiddies who wants to take Mr J's magical ride into the horrors that is my wondrous and beautiful imagination?'
His question was met by unanswered silence from both of his captives.
'No volunteers then, fine, eenie, meanie, miney mow catch a tiger by the toe, if he hollers let him go eenie meanie miney mow'. His finger landed on Stanley. He smiled and seemed particularly pleased with this outcome. He picked up a knife and began striding across the floor to Stanley.
Stanley's eyes widened in terror and tears started to fall down her cheeks. She began to plead for her life, begging the Joker to stop and promising him anything he wants if he let her go. Her pleas fell on deaf ears though as the Joker was undeterred. He stopped in front of her and was about to draw the knife across her skin.
'Stop!' Nightwing cried out.
Both of the other occupants of the room looked at him curiously.
'I can't just sit ideally by and let some poor weak woman get tortured and killed knowing that I could have done something to spar her at least momentarily. So Joker, start with me, I'm sure you'll be able to get more creative than just beating me with a crowbar'.
'Well how very noble and courageous of you bird boy, it's despicable. Well no matter since you volunteered I can test some new methods of torture on you now so that there perfect for Miss Stanley when her turn comes'.
'Don't think I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart, I know that my chance of rescue is less than 5% so if I get this out of the way sooner rather than later I won't have to watch you torture a helpless victim, even though she's the farthest thing from innocent'.
'No matter the reasons however I always do enjoy the chance break a bat, now bird boy let's get this party started'. With that sentence the Joker slashed his knife across Nightwing's left forearm. He did this again and again until Nightwing's entire arm covered in cuts. His suit did little to prevent the knife's incision. Throughout the entire process Nightwing only grunted in pain at this, he would not give the Joker the satisfaction of hearing him scream just yet.
The Joker had finally finished with Nightwing's arm and had replaced his knife with a pair of electrodes that were hooked up to a car battery, he then jabbed them instantly into Nighwing's chest and this finally made him scream out in pain as the electricity coursed through his body. Stanley could only stare at the horrific sight beside her as the Joker reeled his head back in laughter.
Batman continued to stare at the screen in front of him. He had been sitting in front of the screen ever since the news that the Joker had taken Nightwing had come to light. That had been two days ago and Batman had not eaten or slept since then. He was constantly searching for any clue or anything that may lead to his location. The other members of the clan were out scouring D.C for any sign of the Joker or his affiliates.
Selina was worried about him and there wasn't anything she could do about it as she watched him sit at the monitor. She loved Dick like a son and she knew him from the first time he became Robin. She wished she could say something to Bruce but she didn't know what words would comfort a father when his oldest son was in the hands or the world's evilest man. She prayed that they would find a lead soon or she feared that Bruce would work himself death and there would be two dead Bats.
Suddenly there was a blinking light on their screen, someone was contacting them. Batman opened up the communication link and Batgirl appeared on the screen.
'Batman you need to see this video. It was posted online about a half hour ago. I'm sending you the link now'.
Batman immediately clicked on the link and it opened up a window. On the screen a video appeared. Batman enlarged the video to a full screen. He clicked play and immediately to people who were sitting in chairs. One was visually tied to the chair while the other was sitting straight up in the chair but was covered in cuts, blood and bruises. It was Nightwing.
The other one, Stanley was obviously scared out of her mind as tears where streaming down her face, all her previous confidence and poise completely gone. However Nightwing was a picture of neutrality. He may have been bloodied and bruised but it seemed that he didn't seem to notice in the slightest. He was staring intently at someone of screen.
'Now go ahead, Miss Stanley, tell these nice people at home what a bad girl you have been' cackled the Joker of screen.
Stanley was about to open her mouth to speak when surprisingly Nightwing interjected.
'Don't answer that. This is nothing but a kangaroo court and you're going to confess to your crimes in front of a judge and jury, not this madman and his deranged girlfriend'.
The Joker suddenly burst out laughing.
'Oh bird boy, that's just what I'd expect from a bat. But however it's not your turn to speak so you're going to have to shut up now'.
Suddenly a surge of electricity went through Nightwing's body causing him to cry out in pain. Everybody watched in horror as Nightwing's body twitched and contorted in pain. It continued for about a half a minute until finally Nightwing's body had stopped twitching. However once it was over Nightwing just looked off screen and smirked at the clown prince of crime his face going back into the cold mask.
As soon as this happened the Joker burst out laughing one again.
'Oh, your mentor taught you well bird boy, so you're not going to give me the pleasure of begging for death are you. No matter we'll soon resolve that. Tune in tomorrow viewers and see if the bat can hold up for another day'.
With that sentence the video ended with the Joker's laughter ringing out. Batman just stared at the screen.
'Selena'. Selena was immediately shaken from her state of shock.
'Yes, Bruce'.
'I need you to call Robin, Batgirl and Red Robin and get them to start analysing and tracking this video immediately. Also tell Spoiler, Batwoman and Black Bat to start scouring the known crime lords in Gotham in order to see if they know anything and tell Red Hood to start getting ready for a trip with me to D.C.'
'Why are you going to D.C?' Selena enquired.
'I am going to request assistance from the League in order to capture the Joker. He knows me too well and knows that I am usually too proud to ask for help from anyone but if I do seek outside help then he will be taken by surprise. I am leaving in two hours'.
He was about to leave when Selina grabbed his arms.
'Just promise me you'll come home safe and bring back Dick with you'.
'I'll try' he promised.
Superman was flying around the city doing a reconnaissance sweep. However there was nothing really going on, it appears that everyone was still in shock at the Jokers video release of torturing Nightwing and of him not giving the Joker an inch. He still couldn't understand what would drive a man to commit such acts on another human being and how could a man withstand such punishment for long because it was obvious there was more going on than what the Joker was showing them.
He was shaken out of his thoughts by the sight of the Mistress of Magic standing on a rooftop, deep in thought. He set himself down on the same rooftop waking her from her thoughts.
'So what are you thinking about?' the man of steel asked Zatanna.
'I've been thinking about what's been going on recently. I mean how could we not see that Stanley was crooked; I mean are we really that gullible'.
'I don't think were gullible, we just have a tendency to try and see the best in everybody that sometimes we miss something, it was one the reasons why I wanted the Bats to join the League, they suspect everyone and never take anyone at face value'.
'Well if you want me to join so badly then if you help me now then I will certainly consider joining if you help me find Nightwing and capture' said a deep voice from the darkness.
Please read and review.
Sorry, for the delay but don't expect an update soon but I will try.