Nightwing's Dilemma: Vengeance vs. Mercy
Setting: An abandoned warehouse, dimly lit with flickering lights. The air is thick with tension. Nightwing stands with a gun aimed at the Joker, who is tied to a chair, a manic grin plastered across his face. Batman lurks in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the scene.
Nightwing: (voice trembling with rage) "You think this is a game, Joker? You’ve hurt too many people. This ends tonight."
Joker: (leaning forward, eyes gleaming) "Oh, come on, Nightwing! You really think pulling that trigger will save anyone? You’ll just be another villain in a mask. How poetic!"
Nightwing: (gritting his teeth) "I don’t care what you think! You’re a monster, and monsters need to be put down."
Batman: (stepping into the light, voice steady) "Dick, don’t do this. Killing him won’t bring back the lives he’s taken."
Nightwing: (not lowering the gun) "And letting him live means he’ll keep killing! How many more people have to suffer because we’re too soft on scum like him?"
Joker: (cackling) "Oh, I love this! The dynamic duo, torn apart by a little moral dilemma! It’s like watching a soap opera, but with more spandex!"
Nightwing: (ignoring the Joker) "You keep saying we have to be better, Bruce. But how can we be better when he keeps escaping justice? When he keeps laughing at us?"
Batman: (pleading) "Because we’re not like him, Dick. We don’t kill. That’s what separates us from the monsters."
Nightwing: (voice rising) "And what has that separation gotten us? More pain, more chaos! I’m done playing by your rules!"
Joker: (mockingly) "Ooh, look at the little birdie! Ready to fly off the handle! What’s it going to be, Nightwing? A little taste of vengeance?"
Nightwing: (his finger tightening on the trigger) "You don’t get to decide my fate, Joker. You’ve had your fun for too long."
Batman: (stepping closer, urgency in his tone) "Dick, listen to me! If you pull that trigger, you’ll regret it. You’ll become everything we fight against."
Nightwing: (voice breaking) "And what if I don’t? What if I finally do something right for once?"
Batman: (calm but firm) "We can’t stoop to his level. We need to show him that justice will prevail. A warning, that’s all we need."
Nightwing: (furious) "A warning? You want to give him a warning? He’s killed people, Bruce! He doesn’t deserve mercy!"
Joker: (grinning wider) "Oh, I love it! The tension! The drama! You two should really consider a career in theater!"
Nightwing: (voice low, filled with rage) "You think this is a joke? I’m done with your mercy, Batman. I’m done with both of you!"
Batman: (reaching out) "Dick, please—"
Nightwing: (shaking his head, stepping back) "No! You’re both holding me back. I won’t let him hurt anyone else. Not anymore."
Joker: (leaning back, enjoying the chaos) "Oh, this is rich! Who knew the Boy Wonder had such a dark side? I could watch this all day!"
Nightwing: (breathing heavily, caught in a storm of emotions) "I’m not going to let you manipulate me, Joker. But I’m also not going to let Batman stop me."
Batman: (voice rising) "You’re better than this, Dick! Don’t let him win!"
Nightwing: (eyes blazing) "Maybe it’s time I stopped playing by your rules, Bruce."
Joker: (clapping his hands) "Bravo! Bravo! The plot thickens! What will you do, Nightwing? Will you take the plunge?"
Nightwing: (taking a deep breath, the gun still aimed) "I... I don’t know. But I can’t keep waiting for justice to be served."
Batman: (desperation in his voice) "You’re not alone in this. We can find another way. Together."
Nightwing: (voice wavering) "Together? Or are you just going to keep holding me back?"
Joker: (smirking) "Oh, the drama! The tension! I could just die from the excitement!"
Nightwing: (lowering the gun slightly, conflicted) "I just want to protect the people I care about. Is that so wrong?"
Batman: (softening) "No, it’s not wrong. But there are lines we don’t cross. We can find a way to stop him without losing ourselves."
Nightwing: (looking between Batman and the Joker, the weight of his decision heavy) "I... I need a moment."
Joker: (grinning) "Take your time, Nightwing! I’m enjoying the show!"
The tension hangs in the air, a fragile balance between vengeance and mercy, as Nightwing grapples with the choice that could change everything.