Chapter 15
Coast City, September 23, 2010
The morning of Red Tornado's apparent betrayal Danny was awoken to Hal leaning over him.
Danny had been antsy in his sleep; only the night before Nocturn had blessed him with such delightful dreams, that night, however, Nocturn was being a little shit and sent him dreams of jumpscares from Five Nights at Freddy's. Danny had already been on edge while he slept so to wake up with a man leering down at him he...had a reasonable response.
With a panicked startled shriek Danny snapped into full consciousness and backhanded Hal into the opposite wall of his room. When he realized what he'd done he immediately flew to Hal and began frantically fretting over him.
"I'm alright, kiddo," Hal chuckled, ruffling Danny's hair, "Sorry, I should've known better than to sneak up on ya."
"No-no, it's okay!" Danny waved his arms frantically, "My instincts shouldn't be to attack anyways!"
"You were sleepin' and someone came in to wake you up, there's nothing wrong with how you acted," Hal reassurred, "In fact, if you'd reacted differently I'd be worried and might sick the Bat on ya."
"You'd let him drink my blood?!" Danny reared back in horror.
"Right," Hal snickered, "I forgot you-" He shook his head and held Danny's face in his hands, "I," He swore, voice firm, eyes earnest, "Will never let Batman bite you."
"Thanks," Danny murmured, eyes wide upon hearing no difference in his heartbeat signaling he was telling the truth.
"You're welcome," Hal grinned, "Now, I came in to wake you up so why dontcha get ready real fast and then we can talk over breakfast?"
Danny blinked, "Alright," He nodded.
Danny winced as once Hal slipped out of his room he let out a muffled, rather dramatic, whimper, Danny hearing his hair rustle. The man must be in more pain than Danny noticed, honestly understandable given he'd smacked him into a wall! Before Danny could check on him again he was disappearing down the hall and Danny decided to just get ready for his day.
Once he was done Danny headed into the kitchen where some breakfast was waiting for him as was Hal in...his hero costume.
"Hey, kiddo," Hal ruffled his hair in greeting, "Listen, I'm gonna be going to space for about a week, John said he'll try and check in on your, or-or I could talk to Bruce Wayne? See if you could stay with him-"
"It's okay," Danny waved him off, "Before meeting the League and meeting you I was alone a lot so I can take care of myself," He smiled.
Hal frowned and something Danny could only acknowledge as sadness flashed through his eyes before Hal was flashing him a bright smile.
"No parties!" He warned.
Danny laughed at the domestic display and the two began to eat their breakfast.
★・・・★・・・★
Fawcett City, September 23, 2010
Billy Batson was having a pretty good day! The night before, as Marvel, he'd had a call with the rest of the League and they explained Red Tornado had betrayed them which had been a bummer but then they said there'd be new chaperones for the kids and Billy had chosen to be first, he was to start the next day!
He was so excited at the prospect of hanging out with other kids, sure he'd be in his adult form, that he'd woken up early and eaten one of the poptarts Danny always made sure were stocked, all but vibrating as he did so.
Billy's breakfast was interrupted, however, by a knock on his door. He frowned, nobody ever came here, well, except delivery people bringing him gifts from Danny but they never knocked so who...? Ice flooded his veins, terror settling in his heart, it was Batman wasn't it? He found out Billy was Marvel and had found his home to tell him he couldn't be a member of the League anymore.
Oh no, oh no, Billy eyed the window, he could slip out, slip out and fly away and vanish and...and never see Danny again.
Billy took a deep shaky breath, this...this would change things sure. He'd lose his teammates and his...his friends and maybe go to prison but Danny he...he knew Danny wouldn't leave him. So, steeling himself, imagining he had Achilles' courage racing through his veins...he approached the front door...and opened it.
Billy was immediately scooped off the ground into a...a hug?
What was happening? Billy didn't understand, Batman...Batman wouldn't hug him. Billy calmed himself and studied the person whose arms he was in, raven black hair soft and with a familiar scent of, honestly the only way Billy could describe the scent was as a forest and darkness with an after scent of lightning or something staticky. Billy lit up, Danny! Danny was home!
"Billy!" Danny beamed, "Guess who gets to keep you company for the week?"
"Hmm," Billy looked mockingly thoughful, barely containing his delighted giggles, "Captain Marvel!"
"Y'know," Danny said, "If you really want him to hang out I can make him."
"Oh yeah?" Billy grinned challengingly.
Danny's bright blue eyes almost seemed to glow, meeting Billy's challenge, "Oh, yeah."
Danny kicked the door closed softly and shifted Billy so he was sitting on his hip. This was honestly a surprise to Billy as there was only four years between them for Danny to hold him with such ease...he must be a lot stronger than he thought! Billy felt a lot like Batman, detecting that about the other boy!
"But no," Danny hummed, "It's not Captain Marvel it's me, Danny!"
"No!" Billy gasped sarcastically, bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Where is this attitude coming from?" Danny gasped dramatically, "Woe is me!"
"You're so weird," Billy laughed and bapped Danny's face.
"Hey kiddo, what dya say about heading to the zoo for a little?"
"Why not all day?" Billy whined even though he knew he had to head to the Cave in the afternoon.
"I've got a job, kiddo," Danny snickered.
"You do?" Billy looked bewildered before he curled in on himself, Danny immediately noting the shift, looking to him with concern, "Is...is that how you make your money? Are you...wasting in on me?"
"Listen to me, Billy," Danny set him down on the ground and crouched before him, reaching out and gently holding his face in his hands, "I love you."
Billy startled at his words.
"I love you and you're a good kid and you will never be a waste. Besides," He flushed red, "I don't actually get paid for my job."
"Slavery?!" Billy gasped in horror, snapping out of his insecure state.
"What?!" Danny yelped, "No! I, sorry, I didn't mean to get loud but no-no, it's volunteer work, really."
"Oh," Billy sighed in relief.
"Now...I know this might've been a little heavy so do you still feel up for the zoo?"
"Of course!" Billy lit up, delighted at the prospect to see the tigers again.
★・・・★・・・★
Mount Justice, September 23, 2010
Danny spent all morning with Billy while a duplicate of his went to school, hanging out with Dick and Artemis. At about three the duo headed back to the apartment and with a kiss to Billy's head, Danny headed out for 'work.' He transformed in an inconspicuous and abandoned alley and entered the nearest zeta tube, reappearing in the Cave.
Once he materialized in the Cave he immediately lifted off the ground and headed into Tornado's rom, setting about and getting to work tinkering away on Tornado's alter ego.
Danny got lost in the moment, humming to himself as he moved about the room working on Torndo's legs.
Commotion below him had Danny frowning. He stepped away from the table and moved over to the vent.
"Uh...everything okay down here?" Danny stuck his head out of the hole of Tornado's room.
"Danny!" Robin's angry frown was wiped off his face, smiling up at Danny.
"You've been here this whole time?!" Artemis gawked, "After you disappeared from the kitchen we thought you left!"
Danny blinked, ah, he should tell his duplicates to be more subtle when they return to him, he decided to ignore that for now, though, answering her first question, "Yes."
"What?" Conner frowned, "What is that place?"
"Red Tornado's room," Danny blinked.
"The team is upset with Leader Kaldur for withholding the knowledge that there was perhaps a traitor in our midst," Amazo answered Danny's own question.
"Oh, smart," Danny praised.
"Smart...to be mad or smart to withhold the information?" Kaldur frowned.
"To withhold the information," Danny said, "I have faith in everyone here but if one of us was a traitor it was smart not to tip them off."
"..."
The team fell silent because as they thought about Kaldur's secrecy logically...they knew he made the right decision. But...children were rarely logical and despite how much Kaldur's decision made sense they still felt hurt...and that was the only thing that mattered in the end.
"Attention," Batman's voice cut through the rather tense environment, once he had all of the children's attention he continued, "With Red Tornado the team will now be overseen by rotating supervisors. Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift."
"I'm really looking forward to hanging with you guys," The man beamed.
"Captain!" Danny lit up.
"Hello, Phantom!" Marvel waved enthusiastically.
"How have you been?" Danny smiled.
"Pretty good-"
"I have an assignment for the team," Batman cut in and turned on one of the holograms, showing a newspaper article with a notice 'GORILLA TRADES BANANAS FOR BULLETS.'
Danny softened at the title, a small smile tugging at his lips. He...he remembered this article. He remember how it'd been the first time he'd smiled since his parents vivisected him and he destroyed them. Sam had laughed maniacally that day saying something about 'just deserts.'
"'Gotham Mayor attacked by Guerilla Gorilla?'" Wally read incredulously.
Was this the only thing he could find to distract us? Conner huffed over their psychic link.
"Batman, please!" Robin scoffed, "Tell me you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase."
"I never joke about the mission," Batman said firmly.
"Not like you joke anyways," Danny joked under his breath, "Come on, guys," He rose his voice, adressing his team, "This could have some major ramifications."
"Ramifications?" M'gann repeated.
"I mean, having an army of animals seems super cool but it could also be really scary," Danny said.
"Moreover, I've checked the sources," Batman said, "I've studied the patterns. Mayor Hill's encounter is only the latest in a series of incidents. Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out."
The teen nodded in understanding.
The team, still sour at not being let into the loop by Aqualad but seeing the rationale behind Danny's words didn't say anything as they headed to the bioship.
"Give them time," Danny patted Kaldur's back, "Teenagers feel things quite strongly."
"I understand," Kaldur said softly, he and Marvel following Danny down the hallway.
"You're coming with?" Robin rose a brow at Captain Marvel who flew to the bioship ramp.
"Sure!" He beamed, "We'll have a blast!"
Captain Marvel hurried onto the ship.
"Translation: he blames us for Red Fiasco," Robin remarked bitterly to Danny, "Doesn't trust us."
"That's not it at all," Danny reassured, "Marvel's a good guy and honestly...he's probably a little bored with working with the League, we're new to him just like he's new to us."
"Tornado," Robin quieted his volume, "Tornado never went on missions with us."
"Every heroes' different," Danny shrugged, "Just 'cause he wants to come with doesn't mean he doesn't trust us or that he's looking down on us, it just means he wants to come too."
"..." Robin huffed smiled softly at Danny, "You always know just what to say."
"Thanks?" Danny smiled hesitantly.
That was a compliment, right? Robin wasn't calling him weirdly wise, right? Nah, he was overthinking things.
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, September 23, 2010
Night had fallen when they reached their destination, bioship landing softly.
"Go stealth," Kaldur ordered as they all stepped out of the bioship.
Everyone whose suits could do that switched to their darker color schemes.
"Now, let's go over the mission parameters," Kaldur began.
"Parameters?" Wally scoffed, "We don't need no stinkin' parameters."
"It's recon, we know what to do," Robin scoffed.
"Kid, Robin," Kaldur protested.
"The three of us started this team because the Justice League was keeping secrets from us," Robin reminded him.
"Or did you forget that like you forgot to tell us about the mole?" Wally pulled on his goggles before he and Robin disappeared into the jungle.
Conner frowned and sniffed the air, "I'm gonna go this way," He murmured, hurrying off.
M'gann and Artemis shared a look before levelling Kaldur with stern glares before they stormed off together.
"Did I miss the part where you actually said what the plan was?" Captain Marvel wondered aloud into the now mostly empty clearing.
Kaldur sighed heavily and trudged off, Marvel and Danny following him.
They walked and walked and walked until they came upon a place of overturned earth.
"Guess this is where Mayor Hills' monkey business went down," Marvel hummed.
Danny snickered, Marvel clearly pleased with his lighthearted joke as he beamed.
"So at least we've confirmed his story, right?" Kaldur seemed lost in thought, "Aqualad?" Marvel frowned.
"Apologies, Captain," Kaldur sighed, "I am...plagued by doubts," Marvel rose a brow, "Perhaps I was wrong to withhold."
"Kaldur," Danny frowned sympathetically, "I already rationalized your thought process, you have too, you don't need to torment yourself over this."
"But-"
The ground began to tremble and suddenly, bursting out from the treeline were two elephants. Even larger than usual with superstrength and stretchmarks from what could only be their sudden growth.
"This can't be good," Kaldur winced.
Danny looked on with narrowed eyes that were blown wide when he noticed the collars around the elephants necks sparking with electricity. Danny staggered back when he felt the sheer distress the elephants were in and before he knew it he was shooting into the air. Danny zipped toward the closest and twisted around its trunk under its neck.
Danny didn't waste any time as he ripped apart the elephant's collar, the elephant stilling and calming and running off with an alarmed trumpet like shriek.
Kaldur, who saw this called, out to Marvel, who was floating around the other elephant, "Remove the collar!"
"On it!" Marvel punched off the collar, dragging it to the ground, the elephant stepping on it and destroying it.
The elephant, now back in control of themself, raced off with their friend.
"Pretty sweet the way you figured out the problem was the collars," Marvel praised.
"But the collars indicate an intelligence behind this attack," Kaldur said thoughtfully, "The rest of the team may also be at risk," He turned on his comm, "Team, report status," He recoiled at the screech of feedback, "Comm is jammed and Miss Martian failed to establish a telepathic link before we split up."
"Actually, you let everyone split up before communications were set," Marvel hummed.
"They would not listen!" Kaldur protested.
"I guess," Marvel shrugged.
"You're our leader, Kaldur," Danny reminded him, "You should've made us listen. Not everyone's as...mature," He said the word in a posh voice, pronouncing it how one would pronounce manure, "As I. They can't...work through their emotions quickly...I know it's a lot of responsibility but...you need to help them."
"Like this," Captain Marvel piped up, "Back at the cave Batman stopped everyone from arguing with one word."
"Because Batman is Batman."
"You're tellin' me," Marvel laughed, "When I first joined the League all he did was boss me around and it's hard not to take it personally but I never disobeyed an order and that's probably what kept me alive."
"Batman takes command," Kaldur realized, "He has to...for the good of the League. Thank you for helping me understand, both of you."
"Hey, Wisdom of Solomon," Marvel beamed.
"Wisdom of Trauma," Danny smiled.
Danny noticed Marvel was distracted and as such he followed his gaze, easily spotting the tiger looking on at them from the tall grass.
"Cool, the tiger!" He gushed, "I'll be right back!" He shot off, flying through the air.
"Captain, wait!" Kaldur called after him.
"I'll go with him!" Danny volunteered, "Meet up with everyone else. Make them work together," Danny ordered.
Kaldur blinked in surprise then Danny was waving cheerily, flying after Marvel.
"Mind if I join you?" Danny asked, catching up to the man with ease.
"Not at all!" Marvel beamed.
"You like tigers, huh?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Me too," Danny softened.
"There!" Marvel hissed giddily, "I think he's stopping!"
Sure enough the tiger had prowled into a clearing and had stilled. The duo both made their way to the ground, touching down on the grass. They cautiously crept toward the tiger, not really smart for anyone who wasn't them.
"Hey, mister, why don't you let me take that nasty collar off ya, huh?" Captain Marvel offered, tone gentle.
The tiger's collar pulsed with power, sparking with electricity, the creature snarling in pain and backing up, Danny and Marvel continuing on forward, hands raised in a soothing gesture.
In the next moment, however three poles lifted out of the ground, activating, the duo throwing themselves to the ground. They looked on with wide eyes as a gorilla, wearing a beret and wielding a gun leapt out of one of the nearby trees, standing next to the tiger.
"Huh, well you don't see that everyday," Danny remarked before the poles were pulsing with power and he and Marvel fell unconscious.
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, September 23, 2010
Kaldur looked on in wide eyes at a clearing, noting the drag marks in the ground. This...this was really not good. Fuck, he was such a failure! Marvel and Danny had been the only ones to believe in him, who had trusted him, and he just let them go off on their own! He just let them get captured!
Kaldur, M'gann's voice sounded suddenly in his head, Artemis and I were just attacked by a pair of enhanced crocodiles.
Yeah, Artemis scoffed bitterly, And I almost drowned two missions in a row!
Kaldur steeled himself, he would need his team to go after Danny and Marvel. He could do this, he had to, and then he would step down as leader.
Link us with the rest of the team, Kaldur instructed firmly.
M'gann bristled and he could feel her annoyance through the psychic link but she obliged, linking them up with Conner and Wally and Robin...everyone immediately beginning to bitch at him.
Enough, Kaldur's voice cut through the bickering of his team, Captain Marvel and Phantom have been captured and we must act as a team to save them, He ripped one of the poles in the clearing where the duo had been taken out of the ground.
Under your leadership? I don't think so-
This is not up for debate, Kaldur snarled ferociously, cutting Wally off, You all chose me to lead. When the mission is over, if you wish to select a new leader I will happily step down but until that time I am in commanded here.
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, Septembr 23, 2010
"I have retrieved The Phantom."
Danny rolled his eyes as he stirred to those words but ultimately kept himself still, cataloguing his surroundings and the state of himself.
He was on a metal table, he could feel it, the frigid cold seeping into his already cold body, restraints pinning him to the table around both wrists, both ankles and around his waist...and around his neck was a thick collar. Seriously?! Again?! What was it with people slapping collars on Danny?! This was the third mission in a row!
"And what do you plan to do with him?" A familiar voice rang through a screen, a familiar voice belonging to Klarion.
Danny pursed his lips in thought, shifting to look at the screen only to notice it was in another room.
"I am to find out what makes 'im tick," A voice with a heavy french accent, the voice that had spoken initially, sang.
"Well that doesn't sound like it'd be a jolly old time," Klarion commented casually but Danny could hear his worry, awww, he didn't wanna undermine his coworkers that was so sweet!
Danny faltered when his gaze fell to the hero strapped to the metal table beside him
"Hey, Marvel," Danny called out to Captain Marvel as the hero finally stirred, "How you feelin'?"
"Honestly? Not great," He chuckled.
"Valid," Danny sighed, "I think the peole who captured us wants to vivisect us."
"Um...Soloman tells me that's bad," Marvel winced.
"Don't worry, I've gone through it before I can again," Danny did his best to shrug against his restraints.
"But, um, what about me?" The man asked anxiously.
"No, that's what I'm saying," Danny blinked, "I'll provoke our captor and do my best to keep their attention on me so you remain unharmed."
"What?!" Marvel hissed, "I, no! You cannot let yourself be vivationed for me!"
"Vivation," Danny recited, "A form of breathwork that claims to improve wellbeing through the use of circular breathing."
"I, what?"
"Let's try it," Danny smiled encouragingly at the man, "Inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for seven, exhale for eight."
Marvel hesitated but grudgingly did as instructed, probably despite his instincts he ended up relaxing slightly against the metal table.
"The brain enhancement of this tigre already pays dividens, no? For he has brought us a prize most glorious," A voice with a heavy french accent rang out, the duo looking to the tiger silenty watching them, "Le Capitan Marvel. An Le Mysterious Phantom!"
"Why can't I move?" Captain Marvel demanded, immediately tensing, glaring at the source of the voice, shrouded in darkness.
"It is obvious, mi no? Your collar is set to prohibit le movement from the neck down. I have allowed you to retain the power of speech as your reactions will be instructive during la procedure."
"La procedure?" Marvel repeated, "What procedure?"
"I have often pondered the effect of your powers on the cerebral cortex. I long to see le Wisdom de Solomon up close. Monsieur Mallah, prepare for surgery."
"Ya ken, I thought I hallucinated this boyo," Danny remarked in a scottish accent as a gorilla in the beret and nurse scrubs stepped into the light.
"Welp," Marvel could only click his tongue.
"Wah, wah," Danny sang as alarms began to blare suddenly in the compound, security footage from the screens near them showing their team arriving.
"Go, Mallah," The french voice commanded as they rolled into the light, Danny and Marve all but gawking at the figure, "Deal with these intruders. I can handle mon capitan's brain extraction myself."
"You are not taking my brain!" Captain Marvel protested as the gorilla hurried out of the room.
"S'il vous plait, capitan, do not struggle."
"You can struggle deez nuts!" Danny blurted out impulsively.
He was trying anything to distract this guy from touching the captain. Not only was Marvel and intrinsically important piece of the balance of this reality but Danny just liked the guy, he was nice and comforting and warm and Danny refused to let harm befall him.
"Brain extraction is largely painless but the benefits are enormous. Just look what it has done to me."
"Okay, dalek," Danny scoffed loudly.
"Dalek?" Brain repeated, "What is un dalek?"
"Ex-term-in-ate," Danny said robotically, "What? You've never seen Doctor Who?"
"Doctor Who?"
"It's really good," Danny said enthusiastically, "You should like, leave right now and go watch it?"
"Ah, ah, ah, I can watch it after~" The Brain sang, approaching Marvel.
"That thing won't work on me," Marvel eyed the drill, positioned by his head.
"Perhaps," The Brain hummed, "But it works on solid steel so I'll try my luck. I'm told you have the courage of Achilles, mi no? Perhaps you should have asked for his invulnerability instead."
"Not how it works, fuckwad!" Danny snarled, thrashing against his restraints.
"Perhaps, perhaps not, your brain will reveal all..."
The tiger leapt over Captain Marvel suddenly, tackling the Brain.
"Traitor!" The Brain hissed once he rightened himself, "You will suffer for that!."
He pressed a button activating all the collars and of course all the collars included Danny's collar.
Danny screamed in pain as he began to seize on the table, electricity coursing through his veins. He didn't mean to scream, and he definitely regretted it when he took into account the abject horror and rage blossoming on Marvel's face but he had been caught off guard and also...it really fucking hurt.
Danny cried as he hadn't in what felt like forever but was in truth less than twenty four hours, y'know because he WAS LITERALLY JUST ELECTROCUTED!
"Stop that!" He distantly heard Marvel begging, voice raw with rage as he screamed, "Stop! Please!"
The king cried and cried and cried...and then the world went black. Danny didn't know why he'd fallen unconscious; he didn't know if he'd cried so much he'd exhausted himself or the pain was too much for him to handle but one way or another he passed out. At least this time he didn't retreat into his core! That was a plus!
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, September 23, 2010
Billy hated himself, gods he hated himself! He continued to thrash against his restraints, Phantom! Come on! Billy let out a guttural roar, pulling against his bindings, please, please, let Phantom be okay!
Billy stilled, eyes widening when Phantom's screams gave out abruptly, boy continuing to twitch as electricity continued to flow through his body.
No, no, no, Billy felt terror seize him. He began to fight harder against his restraints. Please, please no! No! Billy cried out as he continued to thrash.
Phantom was just a kid! A damaged kid who had a panic attack and was consoled by Billy the first time they met! A kid who put himself into danger to protect his friends! A kid who felt so alone in the world! Billy had been like Phantom once, bitter and disillusioned and alone...and then Danny came along. Danny who flew into his life and his heart. Danny who was such a looming encompasing presence. Danny who was so warm and so loving. Danny who was everything. Phantom didn't have a Danny though and...and Billy couldn't just let him die not when he could be Phantom's Billy. But Billy was being a terrible Danny! Billy couldn't help him while he was in pain, in fact Phantom had even decided to take whatever torture had been intended for Billy!
Billy thrashed and thrashed and thrashed, stilling only when the crackling of the electricity cut out abruptly, collar sparking and fizzing due to either an override or the collar being overwhelmed.
The wall ]busted down suddenly 'Mallah' thrown into the opposite wall, the team entering together.
Billy sagged with relief when he saw them.
"It's The Brain!" Wally gaped.
"Ugh, I can see it's a brain," Artemis rolled her eyes.
"Not a brain, The Brain," Wally gushed.
"In the flesh," The Brain said, rolling forward, "So to speak. Mallah," He commanded.
The gorilla pushed a button on a remote, pillars rising out of the ground around the heroes who immediately threw themselves to the ground. In response M'gann telekinetically took the remote from Mallah, bringing it to her and turning off the pillars, at the same time the wall behind Mallah was busted down, Conner standing besides a large wolf, the duo looking intimidating.
Kaldur hurried to Billy, ripping off his collar, the boy in the demigods body immediately hurrying to Phantom, ripping off his collar as well as the rest of his restraints.
Billy ignored the team and scrambled over to Phantom, gently sliding his arms under him and lifting him into his arms, holding him close, studying him with worried eyes.
"Come on, come on, Phantom," Billy pleaded.
He let out a shaky sigh of relief when Phantom's chest rose and fell minisculey, a wheezing breath falling past his lips. Billy could work with this!
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, September 23, 2010
Dick...had never felt like this before.
He was tense and frozen as he stared, wide-eyed, at Danny, motionless in Captain Marvel's arms. Terror gripped Dick's heart, squeezing painfully. He couldn't move, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't even think...until he saw the unconscious Danny shift.
Dick sagged with relief before steeling himself and turning to their enemy, to those responsible for Danny's current state.
Immediately Dick and the rest of the team surrounded The Brain and Mallah. They stood tall and proud, glaring challengingly at the duo. With the accompanyment of the large wolf and the large tiger they were all the more intimidating, even with Danny, motionless, cradled in Marvel's arms.
Mallah roared, snarling at the group.
"Try it," Conner growled lowly.
"No, Mallah," The Brain called out, "This will not be our Waterloo."
His suit began to open up, looking more and more complex.
"Au revoir," He sneered, "Mes amis."
"Get down!" Wally bellowed.
The lights shut off and then the backup generator kicked in, room cast in a purple light.
"Wait," Wally looked bewildered, "That big weapon thing was...a light switch?"
"Not the time to worry about that," Dick muttered and hurried over to Marvel and Danny.
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, September 23, 2010
"Is...he gonna be okay?" Robin frowned worriedly down at Danny, still in Marvel's arms, still motionless, still unconscious.
"I...I don't know," Marvel confessed, swallowing heavily.
Apprehension and terror churned painfully within Conner, he...he felt so useless. Two days in a row! He was useless as he just looked on at his unconscious brother.
Danny deserved better than him, he deserved better than a brother that couldn't even protect him.
"Please..." Conner found himself whispering, "Please...please...please..."
He took his brother's limp hand in his own.
"Please be okay," He begged, voice barely above a whisper, "Please wake up, please. I-I have to make this right, I have to protect you. Please," He sniffled.
He wasn't even really conscious of the way the team moved out of the facility and through the jungle back to the clearing with the bioship. The world was muffled around him the only sound he heard was his brother's painstakingly slow heartbeat and his wheezing breaths...they were all he could afford to focus on.
His brother...why was it always Danny? It was always Danny who-who was in danger...who was in pain...and then there was always Conner...helplessly watching.
★・・・★・・・★
Northern India, September 23, 2010
The rest of the team wasn't so concerned with Danny's state, Artemis could tell and...she rationalized their feelings too. Danny was alive and appeared to be stable and any panicking wouldn't help him heal quicker so there was no point to it. Not to say that because they weren't panicking they weren't hurrying back toward the bioship.
"What are you buzzing about?" Artemis rose a brow at Wally.
"One word: souvenir," He put Mallah's beret onto his head.
"Two words: gorilla's lice," Artemis sang as they continued to hurry through the jungle.
"Oh, man!" Wally ripped it off, gripping it tightly.
"You're...not gonna get rid of it?" She faltered.
"I can always clean it," Wally pointed out.
Artemis could only sigh.
"She's almost here!" M'gann called out, ah, she must've called the bioship to come meet them, hopefully that meant they'd be outta here soon.
The bioship is overhead and carefully lowering now, Artemis keeping an eye on her teammates.
Marvel is still holding Danny with an almost...possessive kind of protectiveness as he looks on with soft eyes and a tender smile at the tiger that had been following them which honestly should've been freaking Artemis out more than it was.
"Thank you for all your help," He said softly to the tiger, "Do you...want to come with us?"
The tiger padded forward and rubbed up against Marvel's leg like the cat it was.
"I think I'll call you Mr. Tawny," Marvel declared.
It was...strange to see the Big Red Cheese like this. She'd only seen news clips of him, looking imposing and untouchable, and heard stories about him from Oliver, which had to be lies because he described the great hero as immature and impulsive and goofy, and seen one interview he'd given with Clark Kent, the man speaking eloquently and confidently. But now...looking at him, there was a sereneness, an otherworldlyness to him. Even saying something as goofy as 'Mr. Tawny' he sounded as ancient as he was.
"The rest of the pack is gone," Conner frowned at the wolf, rubbing his chin, Artemis' gaze snapping to him, noting the faraway look in his own eyes, "What're you still doin' here?"
"I think he wants to stay with you," M'gann noted.
"Can I keep him?" Conner asked hope overwhelming the sorrow he had in his eyes.
"First the sphere, now this beast?" Wally laughed, "You just keep adoptin' strays, just like your brother," He teased.
The mood saddened again as they glanced to Danny, still unconscious in Marvel's arms.
"Well!" Wally tried to lighten the mood, "He's gonna need a name! How's about Krypto?"
"Pass," Conner deadpanned, the same time the wolf began to growl, "Besides isn't that taken?"
As Conner contemplated names and the bioship descended, landing softly, ramp opening and descending.
"I need to know," Robin said as Aqualad moved to board the bioship, "Why did you keep the mole intel a secret?"
The rest of the team gathered around the duo, awaiting Kaldur's response.
"The source of the tip was Sportsmaster," Kaldur confessed.
"What?" Artemis recoiled, "You can't trust him!"
Panic seized her heart had...had Sportsmaster said anything else? Had he...had he given any inclination as to who this 'mole' could have been? Did he...allude that she had a personal connection to him?
"I do not," Kaldur said simply, "It seemed possible, even likely that he was attempting to divide the team with false information."
"And given how this mission went he nearly succeeded," Robin scoffed, "But you had to consider it might be true."
"Yes," Kaldur confired, "As leader, I did. In which case, I did not wish to alert the traitor."
"..." Robin was silent as he accepted the answer and bowed his head in apology. What could he say? Batman's inability to verbally apologize had rubbed off on him.
"I am still prepared to step down."
"All in favor of keeping Aqualad as leader?" Wally asked, everyone's hands went up.
"Guess it's unanimous," Marvel smiled, shifting Danny into a more comfortable position in his arms.
"Can we finally get going?" Conner pressed, "I'm getting more worried about my brother."
"Right, yeah!" M'gann chirped.
Quickly the group piled onto the bioship...and then they were off.
Artemis found herself relaxing as they flew through the air, the mission was done and soon they'd be home and Danny would be good as new.
"So," Marvel spoke up eventually, Artemis cracking an eye open, looking on as he looked intently to Conner and the wolf lying at his feet, "What are you gonna call 'im?"
"What's wrong with Wolf?" Conner's brows furrowed as he looked on at the wolf.
"Generic, but acceptable," Wally shrugged.
"I'm...getting really worried here," Robin spoke up, gaze glued on Danny, still unconscious in Marvel's arms.
"The bioship will continue on to the cave," M'gann rose to her feet, "I can try to set up a um...?" M'gann trailed off, presumably forgetting the english word for it, "A place for baar'urs?" She clicked her tongue in annoyance, looking frustrated and deep in thought, "For-for to heal you?"
baar'ur is actually mando'a (a star wars language) but i chose to use that 'cause there wasn't rlly a word for medic or healer or hospital or infirmary that i could find in any faux martian language dictionaries
"Oh like an onboard infirmary?" Artemis caught on.
"Yes!" M'gann snapped, lighting up, "I can see about creating a place like that here, it definitely won't be as good as the infirmary at the Cave but it'll be better than nothing."
"Good idea," Robin praised with a strained smile, if the situation weren't so tense Artemis would tease him unrelentingly over his crush on Danny.
"Thanks!" M'gann beamed and got to work.
She faced the back of the bioship and rose her hands, several moments later a hospital bed and iv bag rose out of the floor.
"I'm sorry, the bioship just comes equipped with an iv bag now?" Wally gawked.
"Yeah well after...Bialya and after Kaldur was super weak 'cause of dehydration I made sure to give the bioship all kinds of nutrients we'd need if ever we were in danger again. I have iv bags of salt water, regular water, water and proteins, stuff like that," She beamed.
"And what's this one full of?" Robin asked cautiously.
Artemis softened, he really was so protective of Danny, it was so adorable.
"Water and nutrients," M'gann said.
Robin seemed to contemplate that before he gave a decisive nod.
Marvel gently lay Danny on the hospital bed. Robin moved forward and carefully held the needle the iv was connected to.
"I thought I overheard my uncle say Danny's got an invulnerability thing," Artemis remarked.
"Danny?" Marvel perked up, cocking his head to the side.
★・・・★・・・★
International Waters, September 23, 2010
Danny? Did the team also know a Danny.
"Oh, um," Artemis blinked, "Sorry, I figured you knew but Phantom's secret identity is Daniel Jordan."
"Wow!" Billy gushed.
What a coincidence!
It was ironic and funny to him that he wanted to be to Phantom what Danny was to him and lo and behold Phantom's name was also Danny! The world sure did work in funny ways.
"I don't think we have to worry about his invulnerability," Robin spoke up, "Danny mentioned that it wasn't a conscious or subconscious ability of his and if he's involved with explosions or electricity his defenses involuntarily lower so..." Robin moved forward and carefully slipped the needle through his flesh, turning the tap, nutrients flowing through his veins.
"So...do we just wait now?" Billy asked.
He hated waiting.
Billy softened and smiled softly at Mr. Tawny who rubbed up against him, purring softly. He reached down and threaded his fingers through the majestic creatures fur.
Time passed as the bioship soared through the air M'gann keeping an eye on Phantom no, um Danny and making sure he remained comfortable on the hospital bed. The bioship was just reaching America when Conner tensed, looking to Danny with wide eyes.
"Conner," Robin perked up, "Is everything okay?"
"I think he's waking up," Conner commented.
Ah, Billy nodded to himself, Conner must be able to hear that. He'd witness Superman doing that countless times to their unconscious teammates.
In the next moment Robin had scrambled out of his seat and manifested by Danny's side. Billy could barely contain his smile, he couldn't wait to tell his Danny all about the makings of an adorable couple! He knew how sappy his b-friend was about things like that.
Moments later Danny stirred...and proceeded the groan loudly.
"Three missions?!" He seethed, "Three missions in a row?! Come on!"
Despite the situation, Robin giggled and carefully took Danny's hand in his own.
"Welcome back," He greeted softly.
"I hate it here," Danny grumbled.
In a fluid motion he lost his green glow, his lantern uniform shifting into skinny jeans and a red cropped top hoodie, his domino mask leaving his face.
Billy studied him intently, he wondered why he did that. He knew lanterns could remove their uniforms even while wearing their rings, perhaps Danny was just so open with his teammates he didn't feel the need to wear his uniform while in their presence? Billy personally thought that was very cute.
"Sorry about the electricity, Danny," M'gann said softly, "You...kinda have really shitty luck, don't you?"
"Yup," Danny laughed bitterly and hysterically, "I really do."
"We can't promise no more electricity 'cause..." Artemis threw a glance to Robin, "That didn't work out so well last time," Robin winced and smiled sheepishly.
"I'm just gonna nap," Danny let out a dramatic whimper.
"Dude, you've been unconscious for like two hours," Wally blanched.
"Oh...that's a long time," Danny blinked.
"Yeah," Wally nodded.
"You can nap," Billy said, "We'll watch over you."
Danny softened and sent a beaming smile his way, "Thanks!" And then he fell limp against the hospital bed, promptly passing out again.
Robin moved closer to Danny and sat by his side, raking his fingers through Danny's hair.
"Is...is he conscious that he's doing that?" Billy couldn't help but ask, noticing how relaxed and...distant Robin seemed.
"I don't think so," Wally snickered.
"Neat," Billy giggled.
★・・・★・・・★
International Waters, September 24, 2010
Danny stirred to the feeling of someone's fingers raking through his hair. He muttered incoherantly and leaned further into the soothing feeling before realizing, hey, wait, who could possibly be doing that?
Danny cracked an eye open and found himself peering up at Robin who looked like he...wasn't even conscious about what he was doing. Oh well, if Robin didn't notice Danny wouldn't bring attention to it and get him to stop.
He tried to stretch as subtly as possible and he could feel the moon high in the sky above them, it must be a little after midnight, he guaged.
"Oh!" Robin's hands suddenly retracted from Danny's hair and the ghost couldn't quite contain the growl that escaped his lips at the absence of contact.
"Sorry!" Danny yelped, sitting up abruptly, slapping his hand to his mouth, "Ancients, this is embarrassing, I'm so-"
Robin silenced him by putting his hand atop Danny's head...patting it. Danny strained his eyes, looking up, watching his hands motion, completely captivated.
"Dude," Wally sped over, grabbing Danny's face and yanking him away from Robin, looking into his eyes, "Your pupils are so big!"
Danny immediately sputtered and reared back, pulling away from Wally. Tell him he was kidding! Danny shifted, hiding away in his hoodie, refusing to show his face, he did not want his friends to see his eyes.
"You know," Marvel piped up suddenly, "Someone I know," That someone being 'Danny' not that anyone knew that, "Once explained that your pupils can grow up to fifty-five percent when looking at things you love."
Danny muttered curses and just burrowed further into his hoodie.
Robin's soft laughter had Danny burrowing even further before the other boy was once again threading his hands through Danny's hair, the ghost melting under his touch.
"So cute!" Artemis gushed.
"He's like a cat," Conner murmured not so quietly.
Danny couldn't handle the embarassment so he rose to his feet abruptly and strutted to the back of the bioship..
"Please open the ramp," He said curtly, "I would like to jump out."
"Danny no!" Everyone shouted and in the next moment Danny was being tackled to the floor, finding himself on the bottom of a dog pile.
"I was literally just unconscious," He reminded his teammates, "Can you please get off?"
"Nope!" M'gann chirped, "We're stayin' here till we get back to the Cave so there's no jumping out."
Danny could only groan loudly.
★・・・★・・・★
Fawcett City, September 24, 2010
After getting checked out at the infirmary in the Cave Danny had finally been allowed to leave and he immediately returned to his and Billy's apartment, noting the lack of Billy. Danny wasn't too worried though, he knew kids liked to have their late nights, plus his core wasn't freaking out so he had no need to freak out.
Danny hummed to himself as he prepared Billy a snack for when he got home, getting ready for bed himself. He changed into his fuzzy hello kitty pants and a shirt he'd made where Batman had pink neon cat ears, surrounded by pink sparkles.
"Heya, kiddo!" Danny beamed as the door opened, Billy skipping into the apartment, "How was your day?"
"So cool!" He gushed, "I met a buncha new people and I have this friend, his name is also Danny!"
"That's neat," Danny beamed, reaching out and ruffling Billy's hair, "I'm glad you had fun."
"Me too," Billy sighed in relief, "I was kinda anxious going into today 'cause, what if I didn't like the new people I was gonna meet or worse, what if they didn't like me?"
"Impossible," Danny reassured.
"You're just sayin' that," Billy yawned.
"Alright, head to bed, it's already past midnight," Danny encouraged.
He let out a small oof as Billy shot forward, flinging his arms around Danny's waist, burying his face in his torso.
"Goodnight, Danny," Billy hugged him tightly, "I...I love you."
Danny shifted Billy and lifted him into the air with ease, hugging him close to his chest.
"I love you too, Billy."
★・・・★・・・★
★・・・★
★・・・★・・・★
Fawcett City, September 24, 2010
Billy Batson awoke in the middle of the night with an overwhelming feeling of longing.
He wasn't...the religious type, I mean, he believed in gods, he kinda had to given he was their champion but he'd never...prayed for anything before. Despite that...he found himself slipping out of his room, out onto his balcony, peering up at the sky above him. The night was devoid of clouds and he could see the stars and moon clearly.
"I want..."
Billy stopped himself, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"I want someone to be there for me as Billy and as Marvel," He whispered to the stars, "A companion who knows about every piece of me a...a companion I don't have to worry about keeping safe...a...a hero partner and a civilian friend."
Despite how he loved being a hero...he would never drag Danny into that part of his life.
Billy exhaled shakily and reentered his room, he knew he could never have a companion like that but...a boy could hope. With a sigh he climbed back into bed, snuggling with the stuffed animals Danny gave him, falling asleep quickly...unaware of the creature who'd heard his wish.
★・・・★・・・★
Fawcett City, September 24, 2010
Amorpho grinned to himself and decided, y'know what? I'm gonna grant this kids wish. He wanted a companion to be there for him as both Billy Batson and Captain Marvel? Uncle Amorpho's on the job! Who knows, maybe Amorpho's actions would lead his dense king into finally making the connection that his new son figure was also a hero he admired?
Amorpho grinned mishceviously and entered Mount Justice. With ease he lifted the large tiger into his arms, the tiger awakening and immediately flailing and being very vocal with his alarm as Amorpho brought him to Danny's apartment.
The ghost set the tiger down in Billy's room, the tiger making the connection that the young boy was Captain Marvel, relaxing slightly but eyeing the room warily, seeking out the invisible danger that Amorpho was.
Cracking his knuckles Amorpho pointed his hands at the hyper intelligent tiger...and granted him with the ability to shapeshift. He limited the ability though, only granting the tiger the ability to shift to his usual full grown form and a form wherein he was a cub.
Amorpho silently applauded himself, this way Captain Marvel could have the full grown tiger as a companion and Billy Batson could have the cub! Oh, he was a genius!
Amorpho giggled to himself before vanishing, returning to the infinite realm.
★・・・★・・・★
Fawcett City, September 24, 2010
The next morning Billy Batson would awake in a panic, coming face to face with a tiger cub lying on his chest. Billy would let out a stifled scream and sit abruptly, the tiger leaping off him and onto the ground growing into-
"Mr. Tawny!" Billy gasped.
The now large tiger padded over to him and pressed his large, cool nose against Billy's cheek, the boy giggling at the sensation before he stilled, eyes widening when he realized...his wish had been granted. But...who?
Billy absentmindedly raked his fingers through Mr. Tawny's fur as he contemplated who could have done this. He distantly recalled how his parents used to tell him greek myths, he remembered how in various stories the gods could shapeshift, was it one of them? Did one of them grant Billy's wish to be unalone?
He beamed as he carefully looped his arms around Mr. Tawny, giving him an adoring hug before realizing hey, maybe it's not super normal for a formerly homeless kid, or any kid for that matter, to have a tiger. Billy knew Danny wouldn't care and he knew Danny could probably make this legal so he wasn't worried about him, no, no, he was worried about someone making the connection between him and Marvel.
"Mr. Tawny?" He whispered to the tiger who perked up, meeting his gaze, "I was wondering if...when I'm small like this, when I'm Billy I was hoping you could be small too? And only get big when I'm Captain Marvel."
Mr. Tawny seemed to mull this over before he began to shrink, mewling adorably at Billy once he was completely in his cub form. Billy positively squealed and brought the cub to his chest, holding him close.
★・・・★・・・★
Fawcett City, September 24, 2010
When confronted with a tiger cub Danny, the oblivious, dense, kinda dumb Ghost King he was, said "neat" and remarked only to himself about the coincidence of being in contact with two tigers in just as many days.
"His name's Mr. Tawny!" Billy proudly declared.
Huh, Danny cocked his head to the side, what a coincidence!
Meanwhile in the Infinite Realm his people and his children all simultaneously facepalmed.
baar'urs -- medics