Chapter 10
Gotham City, August 27, 2010
The team was currently in Gotham fighting Clayface. They...were not doing great.
Danny was the only one still standing, everyone else covered in mud and motionless on the floor.
He could feel the sun beginning to rise in the distance and decided the fight had gone on long enough, it was time for him to end this.
With a roar the figure charged at Danny who braced himself and cupped his hands around his mouth and blew outward, blowing out ice straight from his core, sending waves of ice at the creature.
Clayface was frozen up to his neck.
Danny hurried to his teammates, checking over everyone.
Batman suddenly slipped down into the warehouse through one of the ceiling windows.
"Hey Bats!" He chirped.
"Phantom," Batman greeted curtly, "...Well done."
"Thanks!" He beamed.
★・・・★・・・★
Mount Justice, August 27, 2010
The Team had just returned to the Cave, Batman with them.
"I need to talk to Aqualad," Batman said, "The rest of you, hit the showers, and head home."
"Head home?" Superboy rose a brow, "I am home."
"I could show you Green Lantern's place!" Danny gushed.
"Just Aqualad," Batman adressed Robin who remained by Kaldur's side.
Wordlessly Robin pursed his lips and walked past his father.
"We should spend the day together!" Danny gasped, absolutely delighted at the prospect.
"Yeah, let's do it!" Conner brightened.
"That sounds like it could be fun," Amazo, who had been with Red Tornado all night, smiled softly.
"I hope you guys enjoy your brother's day," Robin mustered up a smile, still a little off from being dismissed by his dad.
"You don't wanna come?" Danny cocked his head to the side.
"Wait, I'm invited?" Robin blinked in surprise, ears burning red bashfully.
"I'd love for you to come!" Danny gushed.
"O-okay, yeah, I'll come," Robin smiled softly.
"Okay so...what do we wanna do?!" Danny buzzed with excitement.
"Why don't you figure that out while we get cleaned," Robin frowned at the dry mud he and Conner were covered in.
"Got it!" Danny grinned.
"I shall change as well," Amazo decided, eyeing his hero costume, remeniscent of Danny's just with red where green was on his uniform.
A little while later Amazo, Conner and Robin were joining Danny at the zeta tube, the four boys dressed in civvies. Amazo wore casual white shoes, black pants, and a grey hoodie under a long black coat. Conner wore black combat boots, high waisted grey pants, a white shirt tucked into the pants and a long black coat over it, lacking his usual shades. Robin wore black combat boots, high waisted black pants, a black turtleneck that was tucked into the pants, a black coat and a pair of black shades. Danny wore high waisted black pants that a black balloon shirt (essentially a button up with poofy sleeves) disappeared into and a pair of black shades over his bright eyes, the other boys noting they could still see a faint glow from them behind the shades.
"So," Conner leaned forward eagerly, "What's the plan?"
"I was thinking we could go to the Metropolis zoo!" Danny beamed, "Human animals are super cute and I've read the zoo is great!"
"It is!" Robin grinned.
"Sounds fun!" Superboy beamed.
The four boys took the zeta tube to Metropolis, stepping out of an out of order phone booth in a dark alley.
"What should we call each other?" Superboy asked curiously, "Because the information Cadmus put in my head tells me 'Superboy' is not a normal civilian name."
"I mean, what makes a name 'normal?'" Danny blinked.
"You guys can call me Rob?" Robin suggested, "I guess?"
"I will be Maz," Amazo said.
Danny bit his tongue to stop himself from mentioning Maz Kanata, a Star Wars character that did not exist yet.
"I'll be Tom!" Danny said, "Y'know like Phantom!" He grinned.
"I'll be...Sue," Superboy decided, "'Cause that's how Sue sees it," He made a 'C' with his hands.
"You've been watching Glee!" Danny noted.
"Yeah, M'gann really likes it," He shrugged, "And she's really looking forward to the next season."
"Oh yeah?" Danny arched a brow, "When's the next season coming out?"
"Next month," Superboy hummed.
"Um...does anyone know the way to the Metropolis zoo?" Robin blinked.
Amazo wordlessly analyzed the maps of Metropolis he had in his head, leading the way, walking out of the alley the three other boys hurrying after him.
★・・・★・・・★
Metropolis, August 27, 2010
The boys cried out in triumph as they finally reached the zoo.
Dick paid for their tickets when he realized Amazo and Superboy and Phantom didn't have any money, Phantom almost beginning to cry when he realized they may not have gotten to go to the zoo due to their lack of funds.
After Dick got the tickets...they began their tour of the zoo.
Phantom had subconsciously reached out and taken Dick's hand in his own as they walked. Initially Dick had tensed, both in surprise and how cold they were but he relaxed near immediately. He'd heard an artist say once, "I like drawing hands. I give them a lot of care because besides the face, I think that hands are the body part most capable of showing expression and character."
the quote is from horikoshi kohei the author of mha
Phantom's hands were cold and rough with callousses showing that despite his overwhelming power he pushed himself past his limits, they showed he always trained physically.
Dick softened and flushed red everytime Phantom gave his hand a little squeeze. He was clearly unaware they were holding hands but even every time he got exited and squeezed Dick's hand he was mindful of his strength.
As Dick looked on at Robin as they continued on throughout the zoo...he likened Phantom's appearance to an angel. The sunlight cast him in an ethereal glow and Robin couldn't help but continue to stare at Phantom dreamily.
For every animal they stopped at Phantom had all kinds of fun facts whether they were historical or about their diet or about their hobbies it was...nice to see the boy outside of a heroic moment to just seem him be himself.
Sure it was a little odd that Phantom could explain in great detail, almost as if he spoke from experience, how turkeys had been used in a long-forgotten war and how terrifying they were but it was fun to see how passionate Phantom was.
The four boys were having such a great time. They got snacks and they talked and they gushed about the animals.
All in all...they were having a really great day.
Dick had broken off from the brothers, continuing to stare at the elephants while Phantom tried to teach Amazo and Superboy how to get past anxiety, which neither boy appeared to have, and order food.
"Dick?" A familiar voice called out to him.
Dick's brows furrowed and he turned, relaxing when he saw who it was.
"Hey, S-Clark," His ears flushed red at his mistake he was so used to referring to him as Superman when in costume and when undercover so yikes.
"Oh, are...you on a mission?" Clark asked softly.
"No, just spending the day with my team," Robin smiled, "So, we're all still kinda undercover?" He softened as he looked on at Jon, asleep in his dad's arms, "The kid tuckered out?"
"Mmm," Clark nodded, "He fell asleep looking at the giraffe's so we're headed home."
"Nice," Robin smiled.
"So, Robin," Clark smiled fondly, "Who are you here with?"
"Hey, Rob," A familiar voice called out, Phantom, Amazo and Superboy approach him.
Dick turned, looking on at Phntom and he couldn't help but remember when his dad had told him heartbreaking news about him.
"Phantom came back," Dick announced when he returned to the Cave the night Amazo joined the team and Phantom flew off due to Superman, "Superboy's still really upset with Superman but Phantom's okay so Superboy's calmed down a lot."
Dick frowned as he saw his dad, slumped in his chair, looking at the batcomputer with a mask of neutrality.
"Dad?" He still struggled to call him that, "Everything alright?"
"Dick, I...there's something we need to talk about," Bruce turned in the chair, facing him.
"O...kay?"
"It's about Phantom."
"What's wrong?" Dick asked worriedly.
"He...has," Bruce took a deep breath, "He has kryptonite in his heart."
Dick staggered backward, Bruce hurrying over to him and steadying him.
"What?" Dick gasped, "I-I-" He stammered, "No, no, he can't. He-he would, no!"
"I'm sorry," Bruce whispered, "Clark saw it, it-it's why Phantom flew off. He said there's a piece of kryptonite in his heart...perpetually weakening him...perpetually making him suffer."
"...We have to help him," Dick hissed.
"Clark doesn't think we can," Bruce said solemnly, "It's...heart surgery on humans tends to lead to death and if his bodies really aclimated to the kryptonite then...maybe taking it out will hurt him in other ways."
"Has...has he talked to anyone about this?" Dick demanded.
"No," Bruce sighed.
"The-then we'll just have to be there for him anyways."
Bruce smiled warmly at his son, gingerly resting a hand on the side of his face.
"We will," He promised.
Dick blinked the memory away.
"Is this a friend of yours?" Phantom cocked a head curiously at Clark.
Clark who was looking distinctly rattled.
★・・・★・・・★
Metropolis, August 27, 2010
Clark Kent froze because there he was...Danny Phantom.
The kryptonian...with kryptonite in his heart.
Clark Kent's heart breaks for him, the blood of his people. He can't...he can't even imagine. Kryptonite is agony when it's feet away from him...he can't fathom it being inside him...inside his heart.
Clark's gaze moved to the white haired boy by Danny's side, Amazo, the droid that Danny had reprogram-given free will, he corrected himself, and had left Ivo to join the Team. On Danny's other side was the boy, his clone, the Superboy.
He had been...prepared to speak with him, maybe even give him a chance but then he saw Danny. Saw the kryptonite in his heart and he decided he could not give the Superboy the time of day, no, no, he had to be entirely focused on Danny, he needed him, he needed him.
"Is this a friend of yours?" Danny cocked his head to the side as he studied Clark, snapping the reporter from his thoughts.
"Oh, um, Tom, this is Clark Kent, a reporter who has interviewed a couple heroes. Cark, this is Tom and his brothers Sue and Maz," Robin said with a resigned and dramatic sigh.
Clark was confused by the names but mustered up a smile.
"Hello," He greeted.
"A child," Danny looked to Jon with such wonder it broke his heart, "I forgot such things could exist."
"I...what?" Robin pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This is my son," Clark smiled softly, "Jon."
"What a funny little thing," Danny said without malice.
"That was rude," Amazo chastized.
"What?" Danny recoiled, "No it wasn't, I was just remarking that children look funny."
"I didn't find it rude," Clark chuckled, "Sometimes it amazes me how something I love so much can be so small."
"I...understand that," Danny murmured wistfully looking a bit far away for a moment before softening and smiling down at the sleeping six year old, "Hello, Jon," He whispered, "Jon. A good name. Strong. Sleep well, little one, may Nocturn bless you."
"..." Everyone peered at Danny in varying degrees of softness, the boy frowning at the stares.
"That was weird, wasn't it?" He groaned, "I need to stop doing things humans find weird."
"No, it was sweet," Clark hastily reassured, "Thank you."
"Are you just saying that to not hurt my feelings or do you mean it?" Danny rose a brow.
"I mean it," Clark promised.
"Ah, thank goodness," Danny sighed in relief, "Well then, we shall not stall you any longer, human children can get uncomfortable quickly and your mass appears to be muscle so not very soft and comfortably to lie in," Clark blinked blankly, "I hope you two have a good rest of your days."
"R-right, you too," Clark chuckled.
"Bye, Clark," Dick grinned.
As Clark walked away forcing himself to nod in farewell to the clone and the droid he could hear Danny facepalm, "That last part was definitely weird by human standards, right?"
"It's fine," Dick snickered.
★・・・★・・・★
Gotham City, August 27, 2010
Dick had the best day he'd had in a while. Spending it with Phantom, outside of fighting and the cave...he was pretty certain now that he was completely smitten.
A little while after Clark had left they'd finished up their time at the zoo before it announced it would be closing soon. As such they all leisurely returned to the phone booth zeta tube, even though there were a couple tubes closer, and they went their separate ways.
Superboy and Amazo headed back to the cave with Phantom sending him an enthused wave and beaming grin as he went, strangely enough, to Fawcett.
Dick stepped into the phone booth with a light sigh and dopey grin. However...as soon as he got home and had time alone with his thoughts...he grew bitter.
Dick didn't like how he was feeling, he didn't like how Batman and Aqualad were making him feel so...he went into the gym and got on the bars and tried to work out his agression and negativity.
Logically he knew it wasn't a big deal that B had dismissed him to talk to Kaldur alone but...emotions were rarely logical.
As Dick spun around and around in the air he tried to recall how he'd felt mere hours before.
He closed his eyes and tried to picture himself by Phantom's side. He tried to feel his calloused hands entertwined with his own calloused hands. He tried to recall the beaming smile on Phantom's face. He tried to hear Phantom's laugh once more and the passion in his voice as he infodumped about the various animals.
But then his memories of Phantom were buried under the shame and bitterness and embarassment of being dismissed so publically by his mentor. He didn't mean anything by it, he knew but...it still hurt.
Dick released the hoops and flipped through the air, catching the hoops and lowering himself until his arms were completely horizontal, holding the position as sweat rolled down his face.
"Just Aqualad," He spat out bitterly.
Dick grit his teeth as he straightened his body back up. With a final big swing around the hoops he released them and flipped backward through the air, landing atop a punching bag, or rather, he attempted to. He fell off the punching bag, landing on his hands and twisting his body over, stumbling backward into the wall, grunting in pain.
He grit his teeth further and turned to the wall...punching it and denting it, cracks forming amidst the stone. The dent which would grow to become something Dick could eventually laugh about, enthusiastically sharing it's origin with his siblings.
Dick huffed and stalked to the other side of the gym, throwing a wet towel around his neck to cool down, grabbing himself a cold water bottle, sitting on a bench and trying to calm down. It wasn't a big deal, he hissed to himself, it really wasn't so why was he so affected.
Dick's comm buzzed and he huffed, grabbing it from beside him, absolutely lighting up when he spotted the coresponding comm number, unaware Bruce and Alfred were watching from the cameras.
"Phantom!" He beamed, "Hey, everything okay?" Oh, shit, what if things weren't? Panic seized Dick quickly.
"Things are great!" Phantom chirped.
"Y'know, these are typically only used for emergencies, right?" Dick teased.
"Ah, well, I don't have a human communication device besides this so..." He trailed off.
"Wait, Hal didn't get you a phone?" Dick frowned.
"Was he supposed to?"
"Um? Maybe?" Dick offered, "No matter, I'll bring you a phone next time I see you."
"Cool! Thanks!"
"Hey, what were you doing in Fawcett?" Dick asked curiously.
"Oh, I made a friend there while I was patrolling the city with Guy and he really likes tigers so I went to show him the pictures I took!"
"That's very nice of you," Dick smiled.
"Thanks! Oh, right!" Danny seemed to have remembered something, "I was wondering, is it a normal human thing to ask your guardian to play video games with you?"
"Oh, fuck, as if I'd know that," Dick winced.
"I see," Phantom sounded thoughtful, "Hal...wouldn't get mad if I asked though, right?"
"Of course not," Dick reassured him hastily.
"Oh, okay, good," Phantom sighed with relief, "My..." He faltered, "No," He chastised himself, "No trauma dumping."
"You can dump," Dick winced at his wording.
"Trust me, neither of us want that," Phantom snickered.
"What game do you wanna play with him?"
"It's a human game called Doomed," Phantom replied easily.
"No way, I love that game!" Dick lied enthusiastically, he'd never even heard of it before but he was desperate to spend more time with Phantom, holy fuck was he whipped, "Maybe we could play together some time?"
"Boy Wonder, I can hear your heartbeat through the phone," Phantom huffed goodnaturedly, "You don't have to lie to spend more time with me."
Dick sputtered out a reply, Phantom laughing harder.
"We'll def hang out more outside our uniforms, I promise."
"Okay," Dick flushed brighter.
"Alright well, I have to go Hal just got here!" Phantom chirped.
"Bye," Dick called out.
"Bye bye~" Phantom sang, ending the call on their comms.
Dick buried his face in his hands, shaking his head in embarrassment directed at himself.
On cue Alfred pulled the door open and cleared his throat.
"...?" Dick rose his head to look on at his grandfather figure.
"Master Bruce wishes to see you," Alfred spoke.
Dick shrugged and rose to his feet.
"Did I...do something wrong?" He asked cautiously.
"Definitely not, Master Richard," Alfred reassured, Dick sighing in relief and following the butler out of the gym and down the manor's halls and towards a door that lead outside.
"I got it," Dick of course went ignored by Alfred who pulled the door open for him, he didn't think he'd ever get used to the butler doing things for him.
Dick stepped outside and easily caught the basketball tossed to him.
"What's this?" He frowned.
"Training," Bruce had his hands on his hips, looking as untouchable as every but there was something a lot more open about his expression than usual, his eyes were shining and there was a small smile on his face, "Hand-eye coordination."
"One-on-one?" Dick challenged.
"If you think you can handle it," Bruce grinned softly.
Dick cackled and surged forward dribbling around Bruce, going in for a layup, tossing the ball against the backboard, watching it fall smoothly through the hoop.
"Yes!" He beamed.
★・・・★・・・★
Gotham City, August 27, 2010
At about the same time in the same city Artemis was at home with her mother.
The teenager was sitting on the floor, back to the tv tinkering with her arrows. The tv shut off suddenly, girl raising her head and meeting her mother's gaze.
"This came in the mail for you!" She gushed, showing off her paperwork.
"You opened it?" Artemis frowned, "Mom!" She groaned.
"Oh, just read it!" She encouraged.
Artemis' gaze fell to the letter, darting across the paper, soaking in the words.
GOTHAM ACADEMY
office of admissions and financial aid
Dear Miss Artemis Crock,
I am delighted to inform you that you have been awarded a full Wayne Foundation Scholarship to the Gotham Academy. This will include TUITION and all EXPENSES.
Each year the Wayne Foundation selects a single student, who they choose with great care, taking into consideration both the candidate's academic achievements as well as the individual's character and extracurricular strengths.
Naturally, the final decision to attend remains yours, but we hope that you will choose to join us at Gotham Academy.
Sincerely,
Phillip Wilcox
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
"I've been awarded a full Wayne Foundation scholarship to the Gotham Academy? But...I didn't apply."
"It's not that kind of scholarship," Her mom said, "You qualify or you don't. Gotham Academy is very prestigious. You should be thrilled!" She wheeled forward.
"Yeah," Artemis crumpled up the paper, "I'm not switching schools," She tossed the balled up paper over her shoulder and onto the coffee table next to her mom, "All my friends are at Gotham North."
Artemis turned her attention back to her arrows, examining one in particular.
Her mom shakily picked up the paper and smoothed it out. Her eyes scanned it once more before she steeled herself.
"You're going," She said firmly, taking the arrow from Artemis, "Or you give up your extracurriculars."
"Mom," Artemis rose, hands on her hips, "Don't make threats you can't enforce," She took back her arrow, turning away.
"Artemis!" Her mother cried out, catching her forearm, "This is a chance to better your life!" She smacked the armrest of her wheelchair, tears she desperately tried to contain rolling down her cheeks, "A chance I never had," She averted her gaze in shame, once again hating herself for the only life she could provide for her daughter.
Artemis silently sunk to her knee, reaching out, holding her mom's hand.
"Okay, mom," She mustered up a smile, "I'll go. I'll go for you."
Her mom softened, eyes shining not only with tears but joy. She leaned in and captured her daughter in a hug, Artemis softening, who knows...maybe on some off chance she'd actually like the prestigious school.
Artemis frowned as her team comm beeped, signaling an incoming call.
"Hello?" She answered, brows furrowed.
"Congrats on the scholarship~" Phantom's voice rang out.
"Phantom, are you stalking me?!" Artemis shrieked.
"No?" She could hear his innocent confusion, "I just looked through your mail."
"Phantom!" She huffed, "That's an invasion of my privacy."
"Oh, you humans," He huffed fondly, "So protective of your privacy," He pronounced the word 'privacy' with an english accent, "Don't worry, I didn't actually go through your mail. Hal told me Oliver, whoever that is, was gushing about your scholarship. He's apparently very proud so I called to give my own congratulations."
"Oh," Artemis startled and softened.
It meant a lot to her that Oliver and Phantom were proud of her. In fact, Oliver had been so proud he told Phantom's mentor that...that truly meant so much to her.
"Thank you, Phantom," She smiled softly.
"You're," He cursed violently, "Welcome."
"Um...what was that last part?" She asked, bewildered.
"Ah, playing video games with Hal," He grumbled, "I'm rusty from playing human games so he's currently beating me."
Artemis laughed and bade Phantom farewell.
★・・・★・・・★
Mount Justice, August 28, 2010
The next morning Danny walked rather slowly out of the zeta tube.
"You okay?" Robin fought off a grin as he approached Danny.
"Ugh, stayed up playing Doomed with Hal all night," He yawned an honestly adorable yawn.
"That...doesn't sound very responsible of your mentor," Artemis drawled.
"Eh," Danny shrugged, "I don't mind. I just need some coffee then I'll be good."
"Alright," Robin snickered.
The trio headed to the kitchen where the rest of their team, minus Kaldur, was waiting.
"Phan-" Danny held up a hand signaling for the hyper martian to quiet down.
"He's just a little sleepy and a little grumpy," Robin explained.
"Oh!" M'gann nodded in understanding as Danny began to brew some coffee for himself.
"Phantom wait it's bound to be h-" Robin's voice died in his throat as Danny downed the scalding liquid.
"Alright!" He beamed once he finished, ignoring the mildly horrified looks he was getting from the team, "Who's excited for the day?"
"Hardcore," Wally looked on appraisingly.
M'gann lit up as she remembered she'd made cookies, presented the tray to the team.
"Careful, Superboy, they're hot!" M'gann chirped as he picked one up.
"Not as hot as you, babe," Wally smirked.
"Thanks, Wally," She sounded a little uncertain, "That's, uh sweet."
"Mm," He threw the cookie into his mouth, "Not as sweet as you, sugar."
"Oh, grow up," Artemis smacked the back of his head, she, Robin and Danny grabbing themselves cookies.
"Team," Batman's voice rang out through the intercom, "Report to the mission room."
Everyone threw their cookies in their mouths and headed out of the kitchen.
Side by side they walked into the briefing room where Kaldur had just come back from Atlantis.
Batman turned to everyone, pulling up a hologram map.
"The Watchtower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyan desert. Spectral analysis revealed elements, non-terrestrial in origin. Find out what happened at that site and what landed there. Bialya is a rogue state ruled by Queen Bee," He warned, showing the group a picture of the woman, "And not a member of the league's UN Charter. All communications are subject to interception. Maintain radio silence at all times. You'll land in Kourak on Bialya's border, two clicks from the hot zone."