Mount Justice
April 17 09:29 EDT
The bright white light from the overhead lights in the Cave's hallway slowly passed overhead, as Danny, Wally, Kaldur, Conner, and Megan silently walked towards the Mission Room (aka the training room). Their footsteps echoed in the empty hall for everyone
was lost in their own thoughts. It was only when they passed another lightbulb did Wally finally break the silence.
"So you nervous?" he asked with a teasing grin.
Danny shrugged and answered honestly, "Maybe, a little."
Kaldur and Conner shared a look before the former spoke up. "Well, there is nothing to worry about my friend. The League only wishes to know a little bit more about yourself."
Danny said nothing as they continued to walk towards the training room, but that wasn't the same for Wally.
"And let's not forget that we still don't know what you can do."
Seeing Danny's confused look, Megan decided to elaborate for him, "He means we don't know what your special gift is."
Danny frowned as he thought, 'That's debatable.' But he made no comment as they continued down the hallway.
They had just reached the training room door when Kaldur asked hem to wait for a moment. He turned to Danny and asked, "Why did you agree to be a part of the Team? You obviously weren't happy with the Justice League when they'd announced you sharing your
strength's and weaknesses for a place to stay. So there must've been a reason why you agreed to join."
Wally, Megan, and Conner turned their attention to the raven-haired teen also wishing to know what his answer would be. Conner had his theories, but he still wanted to know how the teen would respond.
Danny ran his fingers through his hair as he answered. "To be honest, it's because of multiple reasons. But I'd rather tell everyone at once so I don't have to repeat myself."
Kaldur and the others nodded their heads and together they all walked into the Mission Room.
Standing in the center of the room was both the Team, the Leaguers that were present the day before, and two adults that Danny didn't recognize.
The woman herself was attractive, Danny would admit that. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes and a slender yet toned build. The outfit she wore consisted of a black one-piece bustier-leotard, gray stockings with seams up the front and back. She had black
calf-length boots, black fingerless gloves that go past the elbow to the biceps, a blue jacket, and a black choker.
As for the man, he too had a toned build. The man had blonde hair, a blonde mustache, and beard. He wore a dark green shirt with a hood underneath a long tight green vest, black pants and green boots. He carried a quiver along his back that was filled
tons of arrows and a black strap that went along his chest. He also had long green gloves, a black mask, and a green belt with a gold 'G'. All in all, he looked like a Robin Hood wannabe.
Once he finished his observations, Danny turned his attention to Batman who in turn nodded his head, signaling the former to step forwards.
"Now that everyone is here, we may begin. Today, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Green Arrow, and myself are ere to both observe and evaluate your powers. The Justice League still has many questions about who you are and where
you come from. As such we will be asking questions, in turn, you may ask any that you may have." By the end of Batman's intro, he was half-glaring at Danny, "For starters, what is your real name?"
Danny huffed at the glare being sent towards him but answered anyways. "Daniel (Danny) James Fenton."
He noticed that most of the tension that was once in the room was now almost completely gone. Even tall, dark, and gloomy looked a bit more relaxed.
"Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself, Daniel?" Superman asked with an encouraging smile.
"Please, just call me Danny. As for a bit about myself? Well, um… In my previous dimension, I used to be known as the protector of Amity Park (a small city in Illinois). My two best friends and my sister were a small team that would protect the city pretty
much 24/7. And even though they didn't have powers, we always had each other's backs, and we knew how to get the job done. Let's see, what else… Oh! At first, my parents didn't know about my powers, but about 3 to 4 months ago there was a -certain
incident- and they found out. As parents, they were proud of what I did and how I managed to protect everyone. But, according to their 'career'? That's a completely different story…"
The room was quiet as the occupants absorbed the new bit of information when 'Green Arrow' spoke up. "You said 'used to be known as', what did you mean by that? And what do the people of that city see you as now?"
Danny blinked in confusion when realization dawned on hi. He looked apologetically at the Leaguer. "Sorry. I kind forgot that you and- Black Canary?- were not here yesterday. I've recently run away from home (for more reasons than one) and one of those
many reasons is that the people no longer see me as a 'hero' if you will. In fact, by the time I left, everyone pretty much saw me as nothing more than a nuisance and a 'no-good troublemaker'."
Black Canary (figuratively) tilted her head in confusion, "But why would they think that?"
The raven-haired teen tapped his chin in thought before finally coming to a 'good-enough' explanation. "Because after an incident that almost caused the Earth's destruction, people accepted me, at first. But about a month after the incident, though, that's
when things started going downhill for me. People began to blame the smallest things on me. There used to be a lot of collateral damage when I first started out, but after a while, I began getting better at 'keeping the streets clean'. So people began
to use that against me, blaming me for something as simple as a fallen branch or a knocked over trash can. They claimed that because of what I was, I would do nothing more than terrorize and destroy things around me. And that I wouldn't, no, couldn't, possibly understand
what they were going through. All because I was considered 'inhuman'."
The room fell silent again as everyone let Danny's small rant sink in. Most of the room's occupants looked at the teen in sympathy. Conner more so than the others. For he remembered fully well of what he used to feel like during his first few months with
the Team.
Not wanting the silence to continue, Martian Manhunter asked another question, "What of your parents? Did they not object to your running away?"
The temperature in the room dropped more than several degrees, causing some of the heroes to shiver while others looked surprised at the darker look in Danny's eyes.
"My 'parents," he said with venom practically dripping from his words, "were the ones who started the discrimination and propaganda against ghosts, both before and after they found out about my powers. At some point in time, they even threatened to
hand me over to a government agency who wanted me for experimentation and possible weaponization. So when I ran away, if they've even noticed I'm gone by now, they would probably be relieved that I'm gone and out of their way. Or, they
could be downright furious that I 'abandoned them' and 'left them to fend for themselves against the other ghosts'. "
At this response, most of the heroes' surprise turned into anger, disgust, and sympathy. The league and Team members couldn't believe what they just heard. How could his own parents not accept him? They honestly understood being discriminated by
the people, but his own family? And not only did they discriminate him, but they threatened him as well? That was wrong in so many ways than one. In fact, it was sick to think of such a thing.
"Thatis so wrong," Artemis said voicing everyone's thoughts.
"Not only is it wrong, butthat is unfair to you as their child. They should be ashamed of themselves for ever even thinking such things," Aqualad added.
Most of the occupants in the room nodded their heads in agreement, while Danny's eyes softened and the temperature of the room returned back to normal.
"Which brings us to the number one question." Everyone's attention turned to Green Arrow. "What exactly are you?"
The attention was back on Danny and he couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable again.
'How am I supposed to explain this? Hey! So it turns out I'm not actually alive, you see I died in this terrible accident, but then ended up half living, and now I basically fight my own kind! Yeah, so not going to happen. And I mean come on, it's not like everyone here is going to believe in ghosts anyways. So how on Earth am I- wait… I got it!'
"What do you know of the Infinite Realms?"
Both Team and League members alike blinked. That was definitely the response they had expected. Most of the room's occupants tilted their heads (both literally and figuratively), while others seemed surprised or suspicious.
Wonder Woman was the first to step up, "I know of the Infinite Realms."
Aqualad and Zatanna also stepped forwards. "As do we," the Atlantian announced.
"Okay wait. Time out for a sec. What is this 'Infinite Realms' and what on Earth does it have to do with you telling us what you are?" Green Arrow demanded, crossing his arms.
Danny rubbed the back of his neck as he replied back, "Actually… It has everything to do with what I am."
Ignoring the teen's comment, Wonder Woman began to explain what the Infinite Realms was. "The Infinite Realms is an alternate dimension that like that of a crossroads. It can lead you anywhere from a different continent to an alternate dimension or even
an alternate timeline. Those that know of it either avoid it as though it were a plague or some would often travel through it… if they knew which door to pass through that is."
Batman decided to speak up this time, "What do you mean by 'door'?"
"The Infinite Realms does not have actual roads or certain ways of travel, in fact, you could describe it as a form of space but one in which you can breathe in. Anyways, within the Realms instead of gateways or pathways, you have floating doors, and
each door leads you to different destinations," Zatanna explained.
Everyone allowed this information to settle in. Green Arrow was the first to speak. "Okay? But how does that explain what you are?"
Danny sighed as he began his explanation, "There are actual beings that live within the Infinite Realm. On my Earth, we refer to these beings as 'Ghosts' as they share the same stereotypical powers as our story-telling, haunted house, ghost. But in reality,
the legends actually come from these beings. While some Ghosts are born naturally or formed by ectoplasm, others are actually people that were once alive. Only the reason they look the way they do and are more powerful than our average ghost is because
of the atmospheric ectoplasmic within the Infinite Realms… this is also why my Earth calls the Infinite Realms the 'Ghost Zone'."
Most the Team stared at Danny in shock or disbelief, while the Leaguers just looked curious or suspicious.
"So you're one of these so called, 'ghosts'?" Superman asked.
Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Not… exactly…"
Batman narrowed his eyes, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that there's no specific species or scientific word for what I am," Danny grimaced.
"Well, then what word can you use?" Black Canary asked curiously.
Danny sighed in exasperation, "The only word I can really use is a slang word used by the other ghosts, 'Halfa'."
Now everyone was confused. "What's that supposed to mean?" Robin asked.
"It means exactly what I told you guys yesterday, I'm half-human, half-ghost."
Green Arrow and Black Canary were highly confused by this proclamation.
"But how is that even possible?" the woman in black asked.
Kid Flash huffed in annoyance, "That's what we want to know…"
Danny looked back and forth between the Team and the Justice League and came to a final decision. He sighed, "Guess I have no choice…"
"No choice for what?" Wonder Woman asked with suspicion clear in her voice.
Danny smiled at everyone before saying, "Just promise me one thing…"
"What?" Superman asked.
Danny's eyes turned sad, "Don't shoot me."
And before anyone could say anything else, the teen closed his eyes and whispered 'I'm going Ghost'. And the most shocking yet intriguing thing happened. Two glowing white halos of light appeared around his waist and then began to move in opposite directions.
As the rings moved apart, his t-shirt turned into a black jumpsuit with a white 'DP' on his chest and his pants also turned into a black jumpsuit white a white belt. Danny now had white gloves, boots, and collar. And as the rings finished his transformation,
his raven-black hair turned snow-white, and his skin had slightly tanned. The rings finally disappeared and in their disappearance, they left a white aura around Danny, adding to his supernatural appearance.
Everyone (except Batman) couldn't help but gasp when the teenager opened his eyes. They were no longer their icy-blue, but they were now dead and were colored a toxic radioactive green.
Danny smiled a mischievous smile and bowed, "Phantom of Amity Park at your service. Ghostly protector of both the human world and the ghost world."
As D-Phantom stood up straight again most of the Team and Justice League members were either rolling their eyes and/or smiling at his behavior. The others were still in shock over his transformation. One of these people being Beast Boy.
"That. Was. AWESOME!" the green pre-teen exclaimed with an excited grin on his face.
Phantom smiled back at Beast Boy before his attention was caught by the disbelieving look on Kid Flash's face. The Halfa smiled mischievously again as he vanished from sight and reappeared behind the red-haired teen, "Boo." Kid
Flash let out a small yelp as he dashed over to the other Team members. Who in turn were laughing and smiling at the older speedster. The embarrassed teen sent a glare at Phantom but all the latter did was smirk back.
"Alright…" Everyone's attention turned to Green Arrow, who smiled at Phantom, "you've convinced me."
"That was quite an amazing display," Aqualad added. "Still not convinced…" Kid Flash grumbled.
"I could definitely say and agree that, that was the first I've seen of that kind of transformation," Nightwing commented.
Some of the Team members were still smiling, and most of the Leaguers were looking over Phantom with observing eyes. But that's when the white-haired teen noticed the solemn looks and sad smiles the others had.
"What's wrong?" Phantom asked with concern.
Impulse flinched when he heard Da-Phantom's echoing voice and whispered to Robin, "Okay, that's definitely spooky..."
Black Canary finally realized that Phantom was speaking to her and she couldn't help but smile sadly, "It's just that I'm not used to seeing, or thinking, of people dying so young at your age. And now that you're in front of me… It's just hard
to believe is all."
Phantom nodded his head, "That's understandable." He looked over at the other solemn faces, "And is it the same reason, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter?"
Wonder Woman nodded, while Martian Manhunter explained his reasoning, "The idea of Death itself is dark and fearful itself. Death is also a usually avoided topic, but to hear you speaking of Ghosts, beings that cannot 'move on' or 'pass' as others believe,
and claiming to be one yourself, without showing any form of unpleasantness or discomfort is… concerning."
Phantom shrugged, "Yeah I guess. And I probably would be uncomfortable, if is wasn't for the fact that my life was threatened weekly by a hunting-obsessive ghost that wants to hang my pelt on his wall."
Everyone made a disgusted face. "Yeah I know… but you get used to it."
"I'm now actually kind of concerned for your health," Miss Martian commented worriedly,
"Anyways… what were we talking about? Oh right… I guess because I've technically already died I don't feel that uncomfortable talking about it. But if it did come down to a citizen's life or mine, I'd always choose their life first."
Superman couldn't help but frown at that, "Now even though I'm glad that you'd risk your life in the place of an innocent's, I'd honestly have to tell you to keep care of yourself too. You're no use to anyone if you're dead- well- fully dead."
Before Phantom could comment, Impulse interrupted him. "So how exactly did you die?"
The temperature dropped drastically and a lightbulb exploded above the two groups.
Danny was trying his best to play it off by putting on a fake smile, "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Impulse! Ghost etiquette numero uno! NEVER ask a ghost how they died, that is SUPER personal and unless the Ghost decides to tell you, it is considered very rude to ask them."
The temperature was slowly returning to normal, and the light bulb was only mildly sparking.
"Now, since this is under certain circumstances, I'll let it slide. But please, NEVER do that again, because I am A LOT more forgiving than other ghosts…"
Impulse seemed to get the hidden threat and paled as he quickly nodded his head.
"Good, now… where to start? Oh right, so in order to explain how I died, I first have to explain that my parents were, in fact, inventors as well as ghost hunters/experts. Back in their College days, my parents had built a prototype of their best invention they'd ever created, an interdimensional portal. But something went wrong and the prototype failed. Fast forward a good twenty to thirty years later. My friends and I were about to head out to the park when my parents called us down to their lab. They had finally finished building the 'Fenton Ghost Portal', a project that took them 7 years to complete. Anyways, my dad wanted Jazz and I to see the Portal get turned on for the first time. But when he and my mom plugged it in, it didn't work. My parents were so disappointed as they went back upstairs, that I couldn't help but feel the need to try and fix it. So with the extra encouragement from my friends, I put on a Hazmat suit and went inside the giant machine. But when I got in there, it was extremely dark and I could barely see anything, so, of course, I tripped over some wires and cables. But as I reached my hand out in order to steady myself, I accidently hit the backup generator ON switch. I started to hear the machine turn on and suddenly my vision turns green, then black. Next thing I knew I woke up with Tucker and Sam saying that they killed me and when I checked the mirror I looked like this."
The room was silent as both the Team and the Justice League looked at Phantom in horror and shock. While Danny himself was trying (and luckily succeeding) in hiding his own discomfort.
Beast Boy probably looked the worst out of all of them. "W-what happened a-after?" he asked timidly.
Danny narrowed his eyes in thought as he replied, "It's actually a little bit fuzzy after that. But from what Tucker and Sam told me, I'd have to say that's when the exhaustion and realization hit me and I ended up going unconscious. Sam and Tuck panicked and started calling for my parents, but by the time they got downstairs, I had already transformed back. Which only made Sam and Tucker panic more. My parents took me to the ER since I was in critical condition and explained to Sam and Tucker that I was lucky enough to be alive, let alone in one piece. After that… it's pretty much a blur, not even Sam or Tucker remember what really happened since they were so in shock."
It was silent once again as everyone stared at Danny with worried/sad/concerned expressions. It was only after a good two minutes did Nightwing ask, "What did your parent's mean by 'let alone one piece'?"
"The portal they created required a massive amount of electrical energy, and I'm not talking about some 1000 Watt-"
"How large was the portal?" Kid Flash asked without looking at the other.
"About 10 feet in diameter and 11 feet in depth."
Kid Flash's eyes widened and he grabbed his head in mere shock and amazement. "But that would require-!"
"More than 15,000 Volts of electricity…" Phantom finished solemnly.
Everyone just stared wide eyed at the ghostly teen.
Danny couldn't stand all the dark moods beginning to fill the atmosphere and attempted to make a joke. "What's the matter? It looks like you guys have seen a ghost…"
Some of the stares just turned into glares or irritated expressions and Danny couldn't help but wince, "Ohhh, bad wording…"
People rolled their eyes while others still looked horrified from Danny's story.
"Do you happen to know what moment Sam and Tucker might remember clearly?" Zatanna asked both curiously and sadly.
Phantom couldn't help but freeze as he was asked that. His entire mood changed from desperately trying to crack jokes, to depression and guilt. "Yes, I do know. But it's not something that I think you'll like…"
Most of the Team's expressions turned to curiosity at this declaration. "We can handle it," Impulse stated cockily.
Phantom turned around and most of the Team jumped back at the now glowing brighter toxic green eyes. "The one moment that they remember clearly, is the very thing that will haunt them the rest of their lives…"
"And what's that?" Kid Flash said, still slightly doubtful of Danny being a ghost.
Phantom's eyes darkened as he answered, "The dying screams of the person they killed."
Kid Flash and Impulse both couldn't help but back away, instantly regretting they had asked in the first place.
"Phantom…"
Danny took a calming breath and turned towards Batman.
Batman's scowl softened, he knew how hard it must've been reliving his death and then having to talk about his old friends. "Let's move on to your abilities. But first, does anyone else have any other questions?"
The room was completely silent and Batman himself couldn't keep himself from sighing. "Very well then, moving on."