Heroes

Summary- After a bet gone wrong Danny takes the Flash up on an eating contest and bites of more than he can chew

Danny was not having fun. Oh it was fun the first time around but now he was regretting his tendency to start bets he usually comes to regret. He just had to challenge the Red Huntress to catch more ghosts than her. Of course it was for a good cause, meaning Walker's prison had a break out with a few unsavoury ghosts finding their way through to the living world. Danny was not thrilled and neither was the Red Huntress but this was his last ghost to catch and he had caught 52 in the 24 hours he had. He was certain he'd won the bet. Oh he couldn't wait to rub that into the Red Huntress's face.

"I… finally… did… It," he panted.

"Yes you did ghost and now it's your turn!"

The Red Huntress was behind him in a split second, shooting him with her suit. Danny groaned in frustration before he dodged the blast. He had come all the way from Amity, to Starling, then to Coast City and he finally ended up in Central after catching 52 ghosts. He did not have the patience to deal with Valerie on top of all that.

"We had a deal!"

"The deal was a truce until we finished catching the ghosts and now we did!"

"That's… you're horrible!" Phantom exclaimed in irritation. "How much did you catch anyway?!"

"The bet was just a way to get you to do all the work idiot!"

A well-aimed ecto-blast bought the conversation to an end. Danny was furious. Here Valerie was catching ghosts at leisure while she manipulated him into going at it hard-core! He was more than angry he was seething. Ex-girlfriend status be dammed, he was getting her back for this.

"You're going in the thermos next Huntress," he growled.

"Not in your dreams ghost-"

In one second the Phantom had vanished. Valerie stood her ground as the flash of lightning caught her off-guard. Phantom could have easily gone invisible but she doubted it. That's when she noticed the frightened civilians and which city she was in. After a few seconds she put two and two together.

"Dammit Flash!"

Meanwhile Danny felt completely and utterly sick. If it weren't for the fact that there was practically nothing in his stomach at present he would have puked. He stumbled into the suddenly different scenery and grabbed at a nearby pole as he steadied himself.

"The inertia! The inertia," he moaned as his stomach did flips.

"Sorry I tend to forget that speed and long distances don't do well with passengers."

Danny took a second to steady himself before he recognised the figure in front of him. The red and yellow costume, the lightning bolts, the laid-back smile- yup, it was definitely the Scarlet Speedster. Danny's excitement grew. The Flash was one of his most favourite League members. Sure Superman was the still the best but he had only heard good things about the Flash. This was the one hero who took the time to help out with the smallest of things. He heard that once the Flash had helped paint an old lady's fence and literally help a kitten from his tree… like that wasn't cliché enough. What kind of lame as cat gets stuck up a tree anyway?

"The Flash it's um a pleasure to meet you! Although next time maybe don't drag me across the country," Danny said with a growing smile.

"Sorry about that. I just saw the Inviso-Bill and the Crimson-Creep and I knew there had to be some dimensional anomaly I needed to fix."

"… Crimson Creep?" Danny snickered. "Oh this is great. At least she gets to see how it feels to get bad-press now! Wait… you don't think I'm a comic book figure too do you?"

"Well yeah, I read your comics but who doesn't? They're great! But don't worry about it the whole League knows you exist with how much you've influenced J'onn. He used to read Shakespeare but now he's into DOOMED."

Danny laughed but he was a little overwhelmed. The Justice League knew him! That was awesome! He was only a small time hero and there were a whole heap of other ones he hardly kept track of. It was just humbling to know that a whole League full of heroes who were much stronger and more seasoned than him knew about him.

"That's awesome! This is so cool! Does Superman talk about me? What about Batman? Does he even talk or does he just you know- hide in the shadows and all? Man what about Wonder Woman? Is she a goddess or what?"

"Wow ease up on the questions squirt."

"Squirt? I'll have you know I'm seventeen years old," Danny grumbled.

"Right the dead don't age," the Flash mumbled.

Danny was going to go head in with more questions when he noticed the civilians taking interest. They soon started crowding around and Danny was becoming uncomfortable. He was usually used to the harsh treatment. People generally ran screaming at the sight of ghosts and he was unfortunately still not trusted as much as he wanted to be… well at least not after Vlad's disappearance… which admittedly he had a lot to do with.

"Can we have a selfie!" a young girl asked.

"Sure thing! Come in here Danny Phantom."

Danny awkwardly came into a half hug on the other side of the random civilian girl. She squealed before thanking them and leaving. He was more than shocked at how relaxed these people were around the Flash, like he was a common everyday celebrity. There was no way he'd ever get a reception like this in Amity.

"Hey can we have an eating contest?!" a random civilian called.

"And eating contest?" Danny asked incredulously. He had expected a lot of things, mainly people starting a protest to ban him entirely from the city. He had not been expecting the citizens to casually demand an eating contest as if they had been long-time acquaintances in a pub.

The Flash sighed as he rubbed his temples. He really didn't want to hit Phantom's sour spots. What if ghosts couldn't eat? Was it rude to bring up things that the living could do around the dead?

"Come on folks let's not be rude," Barry called out.

"But I'm sure this hero will at least try! He's a kid!"

Danny shot the Flash a look of confusion and Barry decided he'd at least have to offer an explanation as to why his city folk were chanting for an eating contest.

"So there's this Central City tradition which the press are too keen on. Apparently I'm the Leaguer who can eat the most and so the Taco place I frequently fervent gets me to challenge any hero that comes by. You know because the call me the 'hungriest man alive'."

"Wow, why haven't I heard of this? I bet Superman beat you."

"No he didn't," Barry grumbled looking hurt. "Oh you're his fan-boy aren't you?"

"…Well I do have a little crush… but that's beside the point."

"It's okay if you don't want to do it."

"Are you kidding me?! I haven't eaten in a day!"

The crowd was suddenly excited. Danny gave them a blinding smile before turning to the Flash with a haughty look.

"I bet you can't beat me anyway," Barry challenged with a overconfident smile.

"Oh that's it you're on!"

Danny was not having fun. First his bet with Valerie had him running around the country for a whole day catching ghosts and now he had the worst stomach ache from challenging the Flash to an eating contest… and it was Mexican food. He knew he would come to regret it but he just couldn't turn down a bet. Now the whole of Central City saw him turn green with sickness after eating too much. Thankfully he had been able to make a quick exit towards a nearby public restroom.

"Are you ok in there?"

"J-just fine!"

He was anything but fine. Thankfully his ghostly form prevented a severe case of diarrhoea but he had vomited out chunky pieces of Tacos and that was not fun. He threw up again before stumbling out of the dirty cubicle towards the water.

"You look… sick. I'm surprised a ghost could even get sick from eating too much," Barry mumbled as he rubbed the teens back in soothing circles.

"Urgh, me and my ego. I should stop with the bets. It'll kill me again one day," Danny groaned as he splashed his face with water.

Barry started feeling guilty. No hero really took the Central City eating competition that seriously… well except for maybe Hal- but that was because Hal was a close friend. Superman and Wonder Woman gave up promptly after the 6th taco but Danny Phantom had managed up to the 24th taco and that was a little too much for a normal stomach. He should have stopped it but the teen ghost obviously didn't like admitting defeat.

"If it's any consolation you beat all the other heroes," he tried.

Apparently pleasing the ghost-boy was easy because one compliment had him blooming in joy. Barry was beginning to like this hero. He could see why J'onn had become so attached… despite Batman being salty that a random hero was allowed into the Watch Tower without his permission.

"Oh that's great! How much did Superman manage?"

"About 6"

"Wow! I beat Superman!"

"You sure did. Now why don't we go sit down somewhere? You need to restore your electrolytes… actually do you?"

"Yeah, my body's physiology is very similar to a humans," Danny admitted.

Usually he would have protested being supported in public but currently he didn't mind. Apparently in Central City the Flash was like a super-powered mail man. He was loved, respected but most of all he knew all the people around. It was a little odd knowing the people here treated him like a well-known Mayor or something. Heroes were meant to be idolised and somewhat like a far-away figure that came in during a crisis. The Flash was like the every-day man that everyone knew and loved but happened to also be able to run faster than the speed of light.

"Where are we going?"

"There's this place on a roof that I love visiting. No one goes there and the view of the sunset is amazing. Plus it's the first time a hero's decided to just stick around," Barry replied with a smile.

"So no one just comes in to talk?"

"Not really, Superman's always busy saving every single person he can or with his civilian job. Don't even get me started on Batman. He's way too serious to take a time out from crime fighting. Wonder Woman has ambassador duties and J'onn's too involved in online gaming after you got to him."

"What can I say I'm an influential person," Danny laughed.

"So practically the only person that comes here with me is Green Lantern," Barry sighed.

"Wow you know a Green Lantern! That's way too cool and it's also pretty cool that your city loves you."

"Yup I have a giant gold key and even a Flash Day"

"And here the police are still shooting at me," Danny groaned.

"They'll come around eventually"

Danny's attention turned to the sunset and it was indeed beautiful. The way it hovered behind the buildings, cascading its reaches into the farthest corners, bringing an end to the day… Danny loved it. Life was always too busy. It was small things like this that made life, or his after-life anyway, worth living. In moments like this he felt relaxed.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Barry murmured.

"Yeah, it's hard to believe that we just ignore it most days," Danny admitted. "Do you ever feel like heroing really drains you… pulls you away from important things. I used to go fishing a lot with my dad before I died but now…"

Barry gave the ghost-boy a sad smile. He had felt that way before too. Being a symbol of peace was tiring. Having to prove yourself again and again just drained you. Every life lost, every civilian hurt, every team-mate injured- it was on you. When you had the power and you didn't use it, it was on you. Then soon you come to realise that you've been so caught up in doing the right thing that you've forgotten the important things in life.

"It's hard to get a balance but once you find it you'll deal with things much better," Barry admitted.

"Easy for you to say, you're like the most loved hero!" Danny grumbled.

"Have you tried getting to know the people you save?" Barry asked.

"…Not really. I usually come in when a ghost attacks."

"Then you should try help with other things. When they know you're human too they'll come around. We can't be perfect because we have powers and we can't save everyone. I'm the fastest man alive and even I can't be everywhere at once."

Danny nodded and took in the word of wisdom. He was really beginning to admire the Flash. He wanted to be like him. Everyone loved him because he was a great person in general, not just for his ability to save them.

"Flash"

"Yeah?"

"You're officially my second favourite hero now"

Barry raised an eyebrow playfully before he put a hand on his chest with a mock-hurt expression. "Only the second? That's harsh mini-man."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Superman is still waaay cooler," Danny laughed.

"And here I thought most brooding kids these days were into Batman."

"You're probably right about that. He is pretty badass. Hey is he a vampire or something? What's up with the whole bat gig?"

"Actually now that you mention it I have no idea where he gets his theme from. He's practically a normal human."

"You mean no super powers?" Danny asked in surprise.

"No super powers," Barry confirmed.

"Wow"

"I know"

Danny was really beginning to see the world differently now. He'd started meeting people like him and it really put things into perspective. All heroes were different but in a way they were all similar. They were just people trying to find their place in the world, to do some good, to make their legacy. He could admire that trait in anyone, superhero or not.

He was only really starting out his life and he was glad that he was meeting so many people he could share his experiences with. Never before did he think that he would have met anyone else like him. Other heroes were always far away figures he admired but never really contemplated as humans themselves. They were always symbols. Seeing their human side really made him remember what a hero was originally meant to be, someone who showed the best qualities of humanity, someone who was kind, protective, and did things for better rather than for the worse.

"So what powers do you have Inviso-Bill," Barry finally asked garnering a small glare for the hated nickname.

"Well Invisibility, Intangibility, Ectoplasm Manipulation, Body and Object Possession, Flight, Body Bending, Cryokinesis, a Ghost Sense and a Ghostly Wail," Danny listed.

"…Wow," Barry mumbled as he blinked in shock.

That was a lot of powers. His shock turned into laughter when he realised Phantom was blushing green. The abashed teenager pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest. He really hated being in the spot-light, it made him nervous, but mostly he hated being treated like a kid. In a few months he'd be eighteen and technically a legal adult.

"You blush green," Barry pointed out with a smile.

"Yeah and humans blush red. What's the point?" he pouted.

"Nothing, nothing. Do all ghosts blush green?" Barry asked.

"Well we bleed green so I'm guessing yes. Ghosts are made out of ectoplasm. We're like the imprint of a strong emotion or process of thoughts that get engraved into ectoplasm. There's a whole bunch of science behind it," Danny explained.

"Science… well I always figured ghosts would be more inclined to the mystical realm," Barry said with a contemplative look.

"There is a mystical side. Scientists haven't been able to explain everything but that's probably because there isn't a lot of research going into Specterology without the Fenton's."

"Well so I guess I can't ask for your origin story then," Flash said with a smile.

Danny scoffed. "Of course you can. It was a lab accident"

"Really so was mine"

"Electrocuted?" Danny asked curiously.

"Yeah, how'd you figure?" Flash asked.

"Well the same thing happened to me and you are wearing a lightning symbol on your chest," the halfa pointed out in amusement.

"So I guess we're more alike than we thought," Barry chuckled.

"… Hey did you feel tingly for a week after getting blasted with lightning?" Danny blurted suddenly. "You know I still feel like my hand spasms a little…"

"Nope, I was stuck in a coma for a month"

"…Oh… that sucks"

"…Yeah"

The two heroes just chatted for a while. Danny was feeling more and more at ease as every moment passed by. It was a rare feeling, of being so open and friendly. Usually his out of hour's activities required a few well thought out quips, but mostly fighting and trying not to die again. This- this was different. Flash was easy to talk to and they shared a lot of their problems together. It didn't hurt to also get some great advice on heroing and share his frustrations about cliché villain characters they had to fight on a daily basis. Danny swore he ranted for an hour on how annoying the Box Ghost was.

Before the two knew it the sun had set and it was dark. Danny took to naming each and every constellation in the sky much to Barry's surprise but after a while of astronomy rants from the dead teen he was becoming tired.

"You're feeling much better now it seems," he pointed out with a smile.

"Yeah, fast metabolism," Danny replied.

"Another one we can add that onto the list of things we're similar at," Barry chuckled before he looked at his watch. "Well times up. I have a night shift to work today."

"Are you a nurse or something?"

"Nope forensics, evidence is coming in late today, but with how much meta-humans are popping up, I think I'd rather be a nurse."

Danny was a little crest-fallen that Flash was leaving. It wasn't often he just got to hang around with another hero and he didn't have much friends. J'onn usually played DOOMED online with him and that helped a little but he still felt so alone in his problems.

"Hey can we…" Danny asked as he trailed off with embarrassment.

"Sure mini-man, come by any time and we can chat," Barry replied with a smile.

"Thanks!"

"See you later"

With that said he disappeared in a flash. Despite the sudden aloneness Danny didn't feel quite so isolated anymore. A large grin grew on his face. Flash really was the hero of the people. His attention turned to his watch and a dawning sense of dread took over the mushy feeling from before.

"Oh crud I missed dinner!"

Wow this chapter took way too long to write. I kind of lost my trail of thought when I left it halfway written and then I had to go back to it and write something or another that made sense. I wanted this chapter to be like J'onn's, you know with a lot of fluff. It's not too heavy on the fighting or plot like Zatanna's but the next chapter will be! I'm so excited for the next two chapters. Unlike this one, which I practically winged, I wrote the plot for the next two chapters and there's going to be a Part I and a Part II. Trust me it'll be like a fun mini-movie! Gosh I'm so excited to write it. No angst I promise!

Anyway, give me your thoughts. Did you enjoy? Could I have done better? I think I set the bar too high with the Martian Man-Hunter chapter that everyone seemed to love so much. XD Hope I didn't disappoint!