<on hiatus> 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝟏𝟕

Nicholas entered the warehouse, begging as vigilant as he was when we was out on night patrol in Gotham as Robin, as his father taught him. As he walked throughout the warehouse, his glasses helped scan the items he found inside. All of a sudden, he heard sobbing coming from nearby which could only belong to one person.

Princess Macy.

He quickened his pace and eventually ran towards the source of the sound. When he thought that he was close, he slowed down and began walking at normal speed once again. As he got closer to the sound source, he sensed some movement coming nearby and heard a gun clicking. Without adverting his eyes, he knew in an instant that it was the Joker, who had escaped from being apprehended by the agents of the Force.

"Ah," Joker said. "Nicholas Wayne."

"Let her go, Joker. She's not worth your time or attention."

"Ouch," Joker said, putting a hand to his heart, "do you realise how hurtful that comment was?"

"Princess Macy is the crown princess," Nicholas said, "who will rule this kingdom one day. What you did tonight will affect the princess' rule in the long run."

"Oh? I thought you were the one who was supposed to take over," Joker smirked, "since she couldn't find a husband herself."

"Yes, I would," Nicholas said, "if her highness isn't able to find a husband within three months, but I have faith that she will."

"Oh, do you now?" The Joker said. "You seem to like her a lot, don't you?"

"... she's not my type," Nicholas answered honestly.

"Oh?" The Joker decided to pester him. "So... you like someone else... done you?"

Too bad for him, Nicholas had a trick up his sleeve.

"Move. I'm gay."

Joker dropped his gun.

"W-w-what?" He said in pure shock and in a voice that definitely didn't belong to or even suit him. "That is preposterous, your grace!"

"Ah," Nicholas smiled as sudden realisation struck him. "Clayface."

Clayface was one of the Force's agents who was hired months before who proved to be a very competent spy. He left his evil past behind and turned to good, and the Force took him in as a spy.

"Your grace," Clayface said with a smile as he reverted back to his original look.

"I thought it was strange that a mere commoner like the Joker knew about royal affairs. Besides, no commoner would ever know if I was a noble or not, so hearing one say 'your grace' to me is unlikely, unless they're a noble or just filthy rich and somehow know me and my father," Nicholas explained.

"True. I concede."

"What are you doing here?"

"They sent a few agents to secure the warehouse before your arrival, your grace. We're here as back up for you, too," Clayface explained. "Have a good look around."

Nicholas looked around and saw that there were indeed a few agents in the warehouse. He had gotten more help than he needed, and he was glad for that.

"I'm sorry I forgot to tell you, Nick," Olivia said through Nicholas' earpiece.

"It's fine, Liv," Nicholas told her through the earpiece. "Clayface, where is the Joker?"

"Somewhere there," Clayface pointed north. "There's no way the Head would allow us to handle him, so we didn't wander far there." Nicholas nodded.

The sound of maniacal laughter could be heard along with a scream.

"That's her highness...!" Nicholas said, horrified.

"Your grace," Clayface said, putting a gas mask on and handed Nicholas one. "Put this on. I sense something strange in the air."

"Which is?" Nicholas said as he put on the mask.

"Nick, put on that mask," Olivia said. "The Joker just released fear gas!"

"Make sure he doesn't escape," Nicholas told Clayface. "Tell the others. I have to get to the princess."

"Yes, your grace," Clayface nodded as he ran off with the other agents to ensure that the Joker didn't escape the warehouse.

As he ran, Nicholas knew that he was already too late. He needed to at least get to Macy to save her. He followed the sobs that he heard nearby. They got louder by the second, and knew that he was getting closer to where Macy was. He followed the sound of the sobs to a room within the warehouse and found Macy, who was tied up to a pole, crying and sobbing harder as he got closer. He looked around the room for the Joker, but there was no sign of him.

"Your highness," Nicholas said. "It's me, Nicholas."

"No... don't kill them..." She cried.

Nicholas knew that she was currently looking at her worst nightmare, and nothing that he said would ever get to her. He took out a syringe filled with a transparent liquid substance.

"Don't take them away from me..." she cried. "They're my friends..."

Nicholas had no choice but to directly inject the fluid into her arm. Soon, the princess became unconscious.

"Come in, Nicholas," said Clayface through the earpiece. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes, Clayface," Nicholas said. "What's wrong?"

"... the Joker escaped," he sighed. Nicholas sighed. He predicted it would happen anyway.

"Try to track him down," Nicholas said. "There's a micro tracker on him."

"Yes, your grace," Clayface said.

"Nick, have you found her?" Olivia said.

"Yes," Nicholas said. "Don't worry about me. I'll be out soon." Nicholas untied the ropes around her wrist and ankles and gently picked her up, his arms supporting her back and her legs.

"Everything's going to be alright, your highness," Nicholas assured her. Though, he couldn't help but wonder what the Joker could've done to her before he arrived at the warehouse.

"Just what did he do to you before I got here?" Nicholas muttered as he looked at the princess.