Chapter 4:
Ok before I start I just want to say the amount of reviews and likes I'm getting are phenomenal. Thanks to everyone who favourite, followed or reviewed! You guys make my day. And I noticed that there's a major flaw in my work that a great reader just pointed out. Apparently this worlds Flash is Wally West and not Barry Allen. I am going to stick with Barry because it's a little too late to change it now. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chap!
-Start-
Despite himself Danny found it entirely too comforting being held like he was. If he had the strength he would have protested to be carried like a 'proper man' but right now it was the thought that counted. It felt nice to have someone else saving your ass every once in a while. It felt nice to have someone worry over you and treat you like they cared. It felt even better to know he was loved despite what he had done. When Danny looked at Barry he painfully reminded him of Jazz. Even the way their eye's narrowed when they worried over him was the same.
"Don't worry about it mini-man, I'll definitely get you some help."
Barry stopped at Danny house. Danny reluctantly pushed himself off of Barry and moved for the door. He struggled to stand for a second before he turned the knob and opened up the door.
"The portal's in the basement," he said shakily.
Barry nodded and grabbed Danny's arm and wrapped it around his shoulder. In a split second they had reached the basement. Danny moved towards the control panel and opened the gate. He looked at Barry and smiled.
"I would invite you inside but it's not a very nice place," he said, cracking a pained smile.
"Heck no, if I can survive going inside then I'm going with you," Barry said defiantly.
Danny felt relieved at the answer and nodded his head. The two of them walked into the ghost zone. The vast scenery of purples and unearthly greens swirled around catching the speedster off guard. Danny sighed in relief as he collapsed on the ectoplasmic ground and seeped in the ghost zones raw ectoplasm.
"I kind of expected monotonous greys and blacks or maybe even a fiery hell with the devil and such. This is rather unexpected," Flash mumbled before he turned to Danny in worry. "How are you healing up?"
"I feel much better. I was banned from entering the ghost zone after the convention so it's been a hard time healing," Danny admitted through rough breaths.
Barry frowned at the disconcerting news as he sat next to the teen. He decided he would ease him into answering questions for once.
"So why do you look so small in your ghost form? Is it because you didn't get enough ectoplasm?"
Danny laughed a little. "No, it's mostly because my ghost half never changes. I look like the day I died at 14."
Barry realised that with Danny any question was personal. It made him a little sad to hear that he had died at such a young age. Danny caught onto the look and decided to fix some misconceptions.
"You don't need to feel bad for me. As I've said before a ghost isn't really the soul of the dead. A ghost is a strong impression left by someone who dies. So you could say a ghost is actually someone's will. I'm not really dead anyway, I just say I am because it's an easier way to say I'm not really human anymore. What I am is really a human infused with ectoplasm that can die and then revive myself. Once my human form actually dies then I can let you mourn my death," Danny explained smiling a little. His expression then turned grim. "Look I can tell you're trying to ease in with the questions. My sister always used to do it so stop beating around the bush and just tell me."
"How did you get injured?" Barry finally asked. "I'm not taking no for an answer. I need to know Danny."
"Jack did it… it was my parents anniversary. He couldn't take the grief or he wouldn't have done it," Danny replied as he turned his head away in shame.
"Why do you keep defending him? He's clearly hurting you," Barry asked with barely hidden fury. "Tell me what exactly he did!"
Danny flinched. "He tested a new weapon on me. It was coated with ectoranium or it would have healed. I usually forget about things like injuries when I fight so I didn't realise just how bad it was until it was a little late."
Barry didn't trust his voice at the moment. He didn't trust that he could hold himself back from the filth that was Jack Fenton. He really didn't think he hated anyone as much as he hated Zoom but Jack was now on his to-kill-list. He didn't understand what drove the man to abuse his own child but he didn't care. No amount of excuses would make it alright to test weapons on your children and refuse them treatment.
"Um… Barry could you please say something… you're scaring me."
"What can I do to get you out of here?" he finally asked.
Danny was taken back by the question. Other than Sam and Tucker no one had really asked him if they could do something for him. Even Lancer knew something was going on but didn't ask. It was a little weird knowing he had an adult on his side let alone a hero.
"My two friends and I are building a portal," Danny admitted. "We don't really have much in the way of scientific knowledge or resources. I've figured out how the portal actually works but making it smaller is going to be a problem and I won't have the equipment or the time to build one somewhere else. Usually it would take years to build one. That's why something of a smaller size is the only way to go."
Barry nodded in understanding. Danny needed something he could carry around or maybe store at his new home. He could understand why it seemed like such an impossible task for a child but he was an adult. He had experience in the scientific field and he knew he could help him. He looked at Danny and then back at his wound. It seemed mostly closed by now.
"That was quick. You should just come here more often," Barry remarked as he saw the closed wound.
"I usually would but I have a lot of enemies in here. The only reason I'm lying around like this is because you're here," Danny admitted sheepishly.
"Well then you should call me more often," Barry said as he helped up the teen. "Now let's get back. We need to stitch up the wound before it's too late."
Danny nodded and followed behind Barry as they walked through the portal. Danny found himself in the familiar lab room in his basement. He wondered where his father was and he was answered when he heard the tv running upstairs. He couldn't help but move closer to Barry when he thought of having to face his father. He had clearly disobeyed him when he had gone to fight those aliens.
"Are you okay?" Barry asked catching how Danny's hands were shaking.
"I-I'm fine," Danny lied as he transformed back into his human half. The pain intensified as his human body protested the wound even more than his resilient ghost half. He hissed in pain as he sat down on the metal dissection table where many ghosts had met their untimely end. "The first-aid kit is over at the corner."
Barry went over to get the equipment when he turned around and was met with a shirtless Danny. He froze in his spot for a second before taking a few deep breaths to calm himself down. The speedster usually thought himself the cool, funny guy but right now he could be Batman for all anyone cared. It was not beyond him to murder Jack Fenton. Scars of all kind littered Danny's body, some he assumed from having to fight ghosts, but some definitely from a weapon. He didn't think ghosts used weapons and that only left Jack.
With trembling hands he stitched up the boy's wounds. He didn't speak; he didn't even try to think because if he did he wasn't sure he could hold himself back. Danny noticed the tense silence but didn't make a move to say a word. He knew Barry was mad but at least the fact that he was still in his Flash costume made him seem a little less threatening.
"Thanks," Danny said in a soft whisper.
Barry knew it was time for him to leave but he didn't like the idea of leaving Danny by himself.
"You know if you need me-"
"-You'll be there in a flash," Danny replied with amusement. "I know."
"Both you and Iris," Barry muttered shaking his head. With one last worried look the Flash sped out of the house leaving Danny behind to face the wrath of his father
It had been a few weeks since the invasion. The world had been rebuilding itself while Danny was mostly trying to stay out of his father's way. Jack was acting like his usual self; one minute like a caring father and the next like he hated Danny. It confused the halfa and put him on edge as he wondered when the man would snap and when he would act like everything was fine… that he wasn't half ghost and they were a normal family. Fortunately for the halfa school still seemed to be running so he escaped his home by hanging out with Tucker and Sam who still found it awesome that he fought alongside their heroes.
"Man, can you tell me that story again?" Tucker asked.
"I've only told it to you about six times already Tucker," Danny groaned. "Here's the short version. We fought an alien invasion and we won."
"But you saw Hawkgirl," Tucker whined. "I'm sure she's hotter than the new one… what's her name again?"
"Wonder Woman, or at least that's what the press is calling her. I'd like to just think of her as Diana," Danny answered, "and Tucker they're way too old for you."
"Love is not restricted by age," Tucker exclaimed passionately.
"But it is by maturity," Sam cut in harshly. Danny laughed at Tucker's mock hurt expression. Sam always knew when to say something that hit hard but not enough to hurt. It was one of the reasons he loved her… as a friend of course. She turned her violet eyes to her friend. "So Danny, has the Flash made any progress with the PGP (portable ghost portal)?"
Danny sighed. "I'm not really meant to give away his information but he's only a forensic scientist. Bio-mechanics really isn't his field but he said he had some friends down at STAR labs that could help if he asked."
"You should just give the green to the rest of the heroes," Tucker said.
"I-I just don't want them knowing okay. It's bad enough when I'm worried the Flash is going to come in and kill dad. I don't need to know what someone like Superman, Hawkgirl, or Green Lantern will do if they find out."
Of course that wasn't the only reason Danny didn't tell. He just didn't like the idea of everyone pitying him or figuring out he was actually just a teenager. Sure he was nearly a legal adult but they still saw him as a kid and if they knew he was alive then they'd probably never call him in for help. These past few weeks were barely enjoyable because he could sneak out to help the others. Just as that was said Flash's com device started beeping.
"Duty calls and thank Clockwork it's during lunch," Danny said.
"Hey can you get Hawkgirl to sign this," Tucker asked as he gave Danny his Hawkgirl shirt. Danny saw the rather compromising pose she was drawn in and paled.
"Tucker, are you trying to get the both of us killed?" Danny said as he took the shirt and chucked it in the bin. The idea of being killed via a spiked mace was not on his agenda when being electrocuted to death was bad enough.
"Hey!" Tucker protested as Danny looked around before scorching the image his ectoblast.
"I did it for your own safety," Danny said as he patted Tucker's shoulder.
Before the technophile could complain a red streak shot by and Danny knew he was needed. Usually Barry came by before any hero needed help from the both of them. Danny didn't mind the sentiment so he said nothing even if it was a little irritating to know he was being babied.
"Sorry guys," Danny apologised as he ran to the Flash.
"Have you got your transmitter on you?" Flash asked as he held out his own.
Danny transformed into Phantom and nodded. "Sure do," he replied as the activated it. Barry picked Danny up as he rushed to the meeting point. Apparently Batman had something he wanted to show the league and had them needing to meet up in a place. Thankfully for Danny he had Barry there to keep him on time. The team found themselves near a ship with most of the heroes standing by.
"What'd we miss?" Flash asked.
"The Watchtower," Superman said like it explained everything.
"Oh… I don't get it"
Batman decided to take over. "Our centre of operations in space. Considering the recent attacks it would be nice for us to have something to alert us of external threats the next time it happens."
"W-wait you're saying it's in space!" Danny exclaimed in excitement.
"Yes," Bruce replied with an amused expression at the teen's wonder.
Danny couldn't hold it anymore… and fainted. Barry caught him and laughed. "I think we fried his brains."
Green Lantern didn't like this. "Flash, are you sure you should be bringing the kid along? He was hurt from the Invasion."
"Correction he was hurt prior the invasion and the wound just got worse…" Barry said, to which John just gave him a pointed look. "Look GL this is like the last good thing he has. Don't take it from him," Barry pleaded.
John raised a brow in concern but otherwise didn't ask. The heroes soon found themselves in the Watchtower when Danny finally woke up. Suffice to say it took a lot of effort not to faint again when he realised he was in space.
"Beautiful, amazing, freaking awesome… words can't even describe this!" Danny exclaimed in awe.
Superman remembered back to the first time he had flown into space and wished he could get that excitement back again. Still it was nice to see that the teen was enjoying himself, especially after the life-threatening injury.
"Do your stock holders know about this Bruce?" Superman asked.
"A line item hidden in the R&D budget. This watchtower will act as an early warning system from another invasion from space," Batman answered.
"Bruce… as in Bruce Wayne. You know that explains a lot," Danny mumbled.
"And it has a fully stocked kitchen," Barry said as he walked in with Wonder Woman. "Iced Mocha?" he asked Danny. The teen took it with pleasure.
"They don't have these in Thymiscara," Diana said as she sipped the cold beverage.
"Stick around Princess and I'll show you the ropes," Danny said a little suggestively. He had to mentally slap his immature side for acting like Tucker. He blamed the hormones.
GL and Hawkgirl flew down and joined them. "It's an impressive installation but what's it got to do with us?" John asked.
"I once thought I could save the world by myself but I was wrong. Working together we saved the planet," Superman said as he pointed at Earth from across the window. "And I believe if we stay together as a team we could be a force that could truly work for the ideals of peace and justice."
"What like a bunch of super friends?" Barry joked to which Danny snickered.
"I was thinking more like a Justice League," Superman added.
"You realise just how corny that sounds but maybe the big guy has a point. With all of us behind him it just might work," Flash said as he grabbed Superman's hand.
"Me too," John agreed as he and Hawkgirl joined in.
"My mother may not approve but I find man's world to be intriguing. You can count me in," she said as she also put her hands in. The team turned to the Dark Knight and Phantom.
"What about you?" GL asked.
"I'm not really a people person but when you need me, and you will, call me."
"Understood," John replied before he turned to Danny. "You may just be a kid but you are a hero," John said as he held out his hand.
Danny looked unsure of what to say. He couldn't commit to something like this. This meant being in a team and that meant putting the team on priority. He still had school and if his father found out he wouldn't put it past the man to lock him up forever. Despite this Danny could not decline. He wanted… no he needed this but he couldn't tell them. He also didn't want to keep secrets like this with them.
"I'll join your merry gang of supers but I can't say for certain that you can count on me. My hands are usually tied when it comes to going out," Danny replied as he put his hands in with the rest of the team. A guilty smile crossed his face as he remembered the secret identity he was keeping from the team.
"Understood, then we're all agreed," Superman said.
"Wait J'onn's not here," Diana pointed out as she scanned the room. The rest of the newly appointed team members couldn't believe they had forgotten the man that had helped save Earth. Superman looked around and noticed that J'onn was standing on a podium, his gaze fixed gravely on his planet in the distance. Superman flew up in worry as they stood by the contemplating Martian.
"J'onn, are you alright?" Clark asked in worry.
"My family and loved ones are long gone. I am the last of my kind," he said solemnly.
"I know the feeling," Superman replied as he placed a comforting hand on his new ally.
"Now Mars is dead and I am alone in the universe…"
"J'onn we can never replace the family we've lost, but we'd be honoured if you could be able to call Earth your home," Clark offered as he held out his hand. J'onn smiled as he took the hand and flew down to the rest of the team.
Danny watched as the heroes congregated together while Flash zoomed next to him. He looked at Barry and gave a weary smile to which the older hero replied with a worried look. He knew what Barry was thinking and he knew that they were going to have a talk about it.
"I know what you're going to say Barry but I can't tell them," Danny mumbled.
"You heard what John said. You might still be a kid but you're a part of this team. I'm sure if you just be honest and tell them your problem someone in this group can help fix it. Heck if we can afford a base up in space then we can afford to hire a scientist to create the PGP."
Danny understood where Barry was coming from but he was still apprehensive. He remembered the day he told his parents. They still loved him but he could remember the tests that followed and their disappointed looks when they couldn't change him back to normal. He still remembered the fights they had about him using his ghostly abilities. He still remembered how he drove his own mother to her death. Somehow he was afraid that the same thing would happen again and that this time he would be taking the heroes down with him.
But mostly he was worried they would never look at him the same way again. He was meant to be the witty, sarcastic, foolhardy teenager that could kick ass. He was supposed to be the person who protected others and put them above himself. He couldn't find it in himself to admit that he had failed as a hero, as a child, and as a friend to so many people. Most of all he couldn't tell them about Dan.
Danny looked up at Barry with pleading green eyes. "Please don't tell them. I'll figure out how to create the ghost portal… I just need time. Maybe if I could even get through to my dad," Danny pleaded.
Barry was instantly irritated by that man. "I'll stay quiet for now but the moment he injures you again I can't promise anything." Flash was only happy when Danny reluctantly nodded his approval of the conditions. He put an arm around the floating boy and bought him a little closer. "Why don't I show you the kitchen then Mini-man?"
"Does it have pizza?" Danny asked his eyes twinkling with excitement.
"14 flavours of it," Barry replied with a large grin.
"Then what are we waiting for! Race you!"
He chuckled at the thought of being challenged to a race. He would wear a tutu and dye his hair green if he lost this one.
-End-
