Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or Danny Phantom. Just my ocs and how they fit into the storyline.

Hunted

Mount Justice

September 7, 6:35 EDT

Leila paced along the floor of the mission room. She had hoped for the Team to all be at the Cave. However, Superboy and Miss Martian were starting school today and the 'Dynamic Duo' hadn't returned yet from patrol in Gotham. Numberless times over the past twenty-four hours Leila debated again and again. Over telling the Team her secret. Would they accept her still? Once they find out she's half-dead- a freak.

"Good morning Raven. Are you here to help send M'gann and Superboy off to school?" Inquires Aqualad as he came up behind her.

Raven flinched slightly at the appearance of Aqualad; caught off guard with her nerves on end.

"Oh. Aqualad, it's you. Truthfully no, that's not why I'm here, but I can come support."

A loud beep of an intermission echoed around the hollow of the mountain. Aqualad quickly answered,

"Aqualad."

"And Raven."

"Red Arrow. I need access to the Justice League's data base and the exact height of the League's assassin known as Cheshire." Aqualad pulled up the holographic computer, typing furiously to access the information.

"Checking."

Having known Cheshire, Leila sighed as she rolled her eyes, impatient with the computer's slowness.

"Cheshire is 1.67 meters Red Arrow." Confirmed Leila instantly before the computer pulled up Cheshire's profile seconds after.

"Umm..."

"She is five foot, six. But how'd you know that Raven?" Aqualad questioned with bewilderment and slight awe on his face.

"The last time we fought the League of Shadows. Cheshire was two inches taller than me by my calculations." Leila explained in a monotone voice with a shrug as if it was nothing.

"Right...well Cheshire is also exceptionally dangerous. Do you need backup?"

"Please. The last thing I need is the Junior Justice League-"

"Which, one of its members easily apprehended you last time I checked." Leila mutters, not caring if Red Arrow heard or not. Aqualad gave Leila a small smile of amusement before addressing Red Arrow,

"Just our computer. Good luck then my friend. Aqualad out." Leila frowns as she was reminded of Red Arrow.

"Was he always this arrogant when he first became a protégé? He says he wants to be a member of the Justice League but how is acting any different from them when describing us- 'Junior Justice League'- make him any better?"

Leila took note on how even she had thought of this Team in that prospect not merely two days ago. Herself under the previous thought process of the Shadows. Before Aqualad could replied, the zeta tube dance with a brilliance of light,

"Recognize. Martian Manhunter. 07."

Just as Martian Manhunter entered the Cave, Red Tornado flew down from his living sanctuary above the mission debriefing room.

"Aqualad. Raven. How nice of you to come support M'gann and Superboy's first day of school. Shall we go send them off?" Inquired Martian Manhunter as his niece excitedly enters the room, levitating two sacks of lunches. Leila politely nodded towards Manhunter before smiling at M'gann.

"Someone's eager to start school."

"Of course I am Raven. I mean, Hello Megan! I'm going to school on Earth!"

Leila chuckled under her breath at M'gann's eagerness.

"Shall we get Superboy then?" Invited Martian Manhunter as he waved his hand in front of him for M'gann to lead. Leila quietly followed behind as they headed towards the hanger.

Superboy was crouching by his motorcycle as the five walked in, petting Sphere. M'gann levitated down to him with her sack lunches.

"Ready for school?" M'gann asked excitedly, "I made our lunches!"

Leila rolled her eyes, amused by M'gann's enthusiasm on attending school. She would rather not have to deal with the drama of immature teenagers.

"The first day of the scholastic season carries great cultural residence. We wanted to wish you both well."

"Guess it's not a Kryptonian thing." Remarks Superboy to which Leila shrugged her shoulders in reply.

"You may want to...change before you depart." Aqualad attempts to politely suggest to the Martian and Kryptonian. Leila couldn't help but give a small smirk of laughter as M'gann morphs her new outfit.

"Oh I've spent hours choosing this outfit. So...can M'gann M'orzz pass as an Earth girl now?" Questions M'gann, her skin still a Martian green color, as she lean towards Aqualad in anticipation. Leila could feel Aqualad's awkwardness as he attempts to be polite while still telling the truth.

"Well..."

"Just kidding! Meet Megan Morse." M'gann giggles as she turns her skin to Caucasian white with a sprinkle of freckles on her cheeks. Twirling around before bending at a small curtsy, M'gann turn to face Superboy.

"What's your new name?"

"My what?" Superboy questioned with a baffled look on his face. Leila stepped forward to explain,

"People can't know you're Superboy. It'll make them potential targets for enemies if everyone knew who you are."

Martian Manhunter began to shape-shift into an African American man with a blue suit and tie as he added onto Leila's comment.

"I chosen the name John Jones and suggested John Smith for Red Tornado. You can be a John too-"

"Pass." Bluntly objected Superboy, crossing his arms. Leila agreed- Superboy does not look like a 'John' and it was too common of a name.

"Connor has always been my favorite name." Suggested M'gann with a slight redden in her cheeks.

"A last name would also be required." Interjected Aqualad.

"Perhaps...Kent." Leila raised an eyebrow at Martian Manhunter, knowing exactly what he was doing.

"Oh! In memory of Doctor Fate. The late Kent Nelson."

"Of...course." Martian Manhunter quickly agreed to as he shape-shifted back into his Martian form. Obviously trying to hide behind M'gann's false assumption.

"Okay. Sure. Guess it'll be some type of honor...or something." Superboy agreed with uncertainty in his voice. Leila only hopes that when the day comes to the revealing of Superboy's alias name, it would help Superman to finally accept him.

"Well Connor Kent. Time to change your shirt."

Superboy lifted his hand to his chest, where the red S symbol was imprinted on his shirt, in question.

"You don't want to reveal your identity." States M'gann before Superboy swiftly takes off his shirt, sighing as he flips it inside out. M'gann was a brilliant red now as Superboy expose his six-pack abs.

"Will this work?"

"Works for me." M'gann states in a fawning voice as she looks dreamily at the new Connor Kent

**Superboy can be so oblivious sometimes, ** thought Leila as she sense M'gann's excitement of jitters flutter with spark affection towards Superboy. Rolling her eyes, Leila crossed her arms as she leans on one hip. M'gann follows Superboy out as he walks away while putting his shirt back on.

"Wait...shouldn't I be Connor Nelson?"

Once both teens were gone, Leila sighed with boredom on what she was going to do. If any luck, Red Arrow will realize Cheshire's out of his league and will call for backup. Rubbing her hand over the piercing mark from her last encounter with Cheshire, Leila walked back to the mission room. Aqualad seem to respect her desire for silence as he followed beside her. An ephemeral moment. Leila gasped as a transparent blue wisp escaped from her lips. Leila quickly covered her gasp as if she just remembered something, determined to keep the ghost away from the Cave and Aqualad.

"Oh! Uh. I just remembered that Batman needed Robin and I to train later this morning once they got back from patrol. I should get going. Keep me in touch about Red Arrow- he'll probably need it against Cheshire."

Leila raced off before Aqualad could say anything, leaving him in slight perplexity at her abruptness.

**Not another one. Maybe I can lure it away if it seems to be following me. **

Just as Leila was out of Aqualad's sight, she instantly turned intangible before phasing through the mountain. Transforming into her ghost form, Leila glanced cautiously around. Only to hear a deep, metallic sounding voice from behind her,

"Well, well, well- so the rumors are true. In that case Princess, welcome to my hunt."

Leila's eyes glowed an aura purple, filled with ire at her pet nickname. **Almost as worst as Vlad's...** Leila clutched her hands into fists, rotating to face her opponent.

"Who are you?" Leila sneered the question through her lips as her hands glowed an ectoplasmic purple. The ghost merely chuckled. He consisted of a prodigious robotic suit with broad shoulders and flaming, electric-green hair. Around his neck displayed a leather cord with a pendent of a human face skull. Although Leila portrayed a hostile stance, she was curious on why a ghost would need a robotic suit.

"Ghost child. How can you possibly not know the Ghost Zone's greatest hunter! I am Skulker! Hunter of rare prey and you, Princess, are my honoree prey." Proclaimed Skulker as the sound of a loading gun reached Leila's ears. A shooter scope had revealed itself from the shoulder of Skulker's suit, giving him precise aim in targeting Leila.

Just as he fired, Leila shot up seconds before the ball of ectoplasm zoomed pass where she was. Leila fired her own ectoplasm in simultaneous retaliation.

**I have to get Skulker away from here. Too close to the Cave and Batman's the only one with the prototype of the ghost catching thermos. ** Leila initially didn't favor the idea of a stupid thermos as apart of the ghost fighting equipment. Batman believed though that she'd be able to use in plain sight without much questioning.

Leila whirled around midair as she continued to dodge Skulker's attacks. Each shot seemed aimed to heat signature; Leila dodging last minute before counterattacking the fire of ectoplasm. A standoff between hunter and prey.

"If you call yourself a hunter you have terrible aim."

"Whelp. You dare insult-"

"Yeah I dare. I bet you couldn't even catch me."

Leila taunted before saluting the ghost and taking flight, streaking through the sky. Skyline blurring, Leila only hoped Skulker's obsession of hunting was his downfall. Minutes pass as Leila witness the gradual transformation of open land to an urban city and frowned in confusion. Kid Flash couldn't make it to Gotham that fast from Happy Harbor. Guess her powers were improving.

Pausing above the tall buildings, Leila glanced around before cursing herself. Caught up in how fast she got back to Gotham, Leila forgot to monitor Skulker on her way into the city.

**He couldn't have been far behind. Didn't even try shooting at me? **

Leila suddenly hears the whooshing of a birdarang and narrowly dodges, inadvertently splitting herself between her upper and lower body. The weapon sliding through her midsection with ease.

"Hahaha and here I thought I couldn't be any more whelmed by you."

Leila rolled her eyes before sucking in a breath of panic. Turning around to see no one other than the little birdie himself standing on the rooftop closest to her. Leila raised her hands in surrender.

"Look, I'm not here to cause trouble. But you need to get out of here, there's a dangerous ghost out and it's not safe for you here."

"You mean you? You're the only ghost out here. Not feeling the aster much in this situation are you. Where's my friend?" Demanded the Boy Wonder, wanting to get straight to business as he raised another birdarang. This one Leila could tell was enhanced with ectoplasm. Leila observed Robin's stance. Although threatening with a ectoplasmic birdarang, Leila could sense it wasn't his real intent. **What are you playing at little birdie? ** Leila thought as she frowns at the Boy Wonder.

"What friend? I don't know who you're talking about."

"I got a distress call from my friend. Said she needed to tell me something and this was her last location. If I were you, I would start talking."

Leila's mind raced at Robin's new intel. Skulker wanted her here. Both her and Robin, two birds for one stone. Narrowing her eyes, Leila turned her back towards Robin, scanning the skyline as she explained,

"Robin. You have to listen to me. I don't know who or where your friend is but you have to get out of here. There's another ghost-"

Leila was cut off as she heard the loading of a gun a second before it was fired. Zooming towards her right, Leila intercepted the blast and attempted to form a reflective shield in front of her. Her small shield was only in time to lessen the impact as Leila protected Robin from the oncoming blast. Propelling backwards, Leila smashed onto the rooftop behind Robin who instantly ran to check on her. Stiffening, Leila cried out in warning as she saw Skulker speeding towards Robin.

"Look out!"

Robin instantly turned around in defense, protecting the ghost girl. Leila desperately tried to move her legs but frown, she couldn't. Glancing behind her, Leila noticed a small tranquilizing dart stuck in the back of her right thigh. Pure panic seeped through Leila as she helplessly watched Robin engage Skulker.

She could hear the humming of Robin's belt as he fought. Ephemeral relief shone through Leila's eyes at this; the specter-reflector system was aiding Robin. Feeling her whole body going numb, Leila watch in despair the fight laid before her. Robin was excellent in dodging Skulker's heat signature blasts, but so was Skulker with Robin's ectoplasmic birdarangs. Robin would easily intercept a blast with a birdarang before dodging away from the explosion. Leila watched closely at Skulker's fighting style. Barely at anytime would Skulker attack directly and even then it would be a mere punch or kick. Hopes in not getting shock by Robin's belt, Skulker knows not to directly engage. Skulker was also clutching his right fist strangely; making sure whatever he was holding wouldn't fall out.

**What could Skulker be holding? Why would he go after Robin? No way a lone ghost would know the connections I have with him. Nor should he know that Robin's belt would harm him. **

It was then that Leila confirmed her haunting theory; Vlad had sent Skulker. His motive? Leila couldn't tell, why not give the instructions to capture only her? Why include Robin? It wasn't long until Skulker showed his final move. Flipping high over Robin, Skulker chuckled as he lands behind him. Turning swiftly, Robin didn't see it coming. Just as Robin turned to face Skulker, Skulker opens his palm as he blows a powdery substance in Robin's face.

"Robin!"

Staggering back, Robin starting coughing- failure to sustain from inhaling the toxin into his systems. The effects were instant; Robin began to clutch his head, crying out in pain and confusion. Skulker grins triumphantly,

"Now Whelp. Kill her." Commanded Skulker as he disappears. Leila stared in horror at her little birdie. Robin was clutching his head, screaming in terror. Even with his mask on, Leila could tell he was staring at everything but nothing. At Skulker's last words, Robin lunged at Leila.

Thousands of volt-shocks began pulsing through her, making Leila's inside scream in agony. If she could move, she would be having spasms. Robin had grabbed her wrist, lifting her dead weight off the rooftop as he raged out in pain. The drug exuding his mind into insanity. It seemed like hours as Leila twisted her head in resistance and pain. How earnestly she wished Robin to stop. But the longer she screamed, the harder his grip tightens and it seemed like more shocks were pulsing through her. Robin started throwing punches, the drug making him more savage in anger as Leila's screams pierced his ears. Leila choked on her own air as each punch strikes her side and stomach. Making her want to vomit, Leila tried to breath and hold strong against the pain.

Leila's icy core began to expand; burning inside her as a burst of ectoplasmic energy blasted Robin away and changed Leila back human. Last thing Leila saw was Skulker's shadowy grin of triumphant as he loomed over the two birds.

Leila's body burned; everything burned. Slowly Leila wiggled her toes, realizing she could move her body again. Instead now she didn't want to move. Everything disintegrated. Everything hurt. Everything screamed. Memories began to flood her mind as Leila slowly opened her eyes. **There was...a ghost. And Robin...Robin! **

Although her body screeched in protest, Leila shot up into a sitting position. Remembering how Robin had attacked her after he was drugged.

Leila's hand felt heavy as she lifted it to her head, attempting to ease the sudden dizziness. Glancing down, Leila saw herself handcuffed to an unconscious Robin. Leila slide over to check on Robin, holding down her nausea. His breathing seemed back to normal, slight bruising covered his arms but otherwise seemed fine. Most importantly wasn't dead either.

Taking deep breaths, Leila observed her surroundings. Both the supposed ground and air held an ectoplasmic signature- containing green, white, and black swirling hues- and it seemed that Leila and Robin were on some type of mock of a jungle island. Leila may never have been here before, but a gut feeling confirmed that this was the Ghost Zone- or least a part of it. Vlad always described how it was made of purely ectoplasm. It perplexed Leila on how solid yet ethereal the dimension was. It definitely felt like she was sitting on solid ground, but everything had an eerie sensation and felt liquefied.

Robin began to stir awake and Leila instantly transform back into her ghost form just as he began to blink his eyes open. Groaning as he sat up, Robin coughed several times before muttering,

"Definitely not feeling the aster. What happened?"

Leila froze as Robin turned to look at her. After a few seconds of confusion, Robin glanced down to find the prohibiting handcuffs. Cautiously, Leila answered his question,

"Don't you remember? It must be the side effects of the hallucinogen drug that Skulker gave you. You attacked me."

Leila saw Robin's cheeks flustered slightly through the silence as he narrowed his eyes, processing this information. Leila could sense countless waves of different energy and emotions bouncing off him. Shock, anger, disappointment and was that concern Leila last sense? She could hear Robin muttering under his breath,

"Batman is gonna kill me."

"Puny Whelp. The only one honored enough to kill you is me." Skulker's deep, sinister voice seems to surround Leila and Robin. Stiffening, Robin instantly pulled Leila closer to him, covering her with his body as a protective shield as he scanned the surrounding trees. Leila's eyes widen at the gesture, surprised Robin was attempting to protect her. A small shock wave sparked through Leila's arm and she yelped in pain; filching back away from Robin's grip. Biting the inside of her lip to suffer through the pain, Leila called out,

"Why are you doing this Skulker? What value do we have?"

Her attempt of drawing Skulker out worked as he slipped out of the shadows of the trees in front of the two heroes. Chuckling as he circled Leila and Robin,

"Oh Ghost Girl. You know yourself you're very rare. And your little Whelp of a friend is just a nice bonus."

"Then why not kill us off before." Questioned Leila as she eyed the ghost of a hunter.

"I already got what I needed, but what is a good hunt without a challenge. I hunt the most dangerous game on my island. Those who can reason are the best kind of prey. The game is simple. 24 hours to try and escape or die. I'll give you a head-start while I relish in the new hunt."

The loading of a gun could be heard as it popped up from the ground, aiming directly at Leila and Robin. Both heroes took off, dashing away through the thicket of trees as Skulker laughed in delight. Leila let Robin take the lead as they serpentine from the blasts of the gun. Her body pleaded with her to stop moving but she had to keep going. She wasn't going to let Skulker kill Robin.

With determination, Leila glanced back as her free hand glowed with ectoplasm, aiming at Skulker as he plowed through the trees in pursuit. Only to find that she couldn't fire a blast of ectoplasm. Peering back down at the handcuffs, Leila now notices a blue hue surrounding them; suppressing her powers.

"Robin, hand me one of your birdarangs. These handcuffs are suppressing my powers."

Robin gives a curt nod in response before handing Leila an explosive birdarang lace with ectoplasm. Taking one glance of precise aim to his chest, Leila flung the weapon at Skulker.

"Go left! We need to get him off our trail." Called out Leila as she heard the explosion of impact of the birdarang with something. If anything it'll cause slight confusion with all the smoke. Robin turned a sharp left, plunging into the bushes.

"Where are we exactly? I can breath but it feels like we're swimming through goop." Questioned Robin as he continued to lead Leila through the maze of a jungle. Leila took note on how humans felt in this horrid place. In her ghost form, everything felt ethereal as if all of it was just a dream. If only it was a dream, but the handcuffs and Robin's specter-reflector belt made it a nightmare reality.

"It's called the Ghost Zone. Where- ironically- all ghosts come to live. It's a co-existing dimension to the human world."

"Okay I'm officially whelmed. But-"

"How about I answer your questions when we're not being hunted by a psycho ghost."

Leila could see Robin's slight chuckle before he gives a small nod, plunging faster into the dark jungle. There seem to be barely any specter wildlife as they ran. The plants seem to be aiding Skulker, entangling Robin and Leila as they plunged deeper into the jungle. Towering over the island was a large mountain in the shape of a skull. Occasionally Leila and Robin would take random turns to throw off their trail. Hours passed before Leila had to stop, her muscles forever screaming and have been numb since the hunt started.

"Robin." Leila gasped out before her knees buckled under her. Robin instantly turned around to help her up but pause just before touching Leila. Remembering his belt was still active, Robin pressed the middle emblem of his belt before picking Leila up bridal style.

"We have to keep moving. Aren't ghost transparent though?"

Leila could feel her face becoming warm as Robin carried her, slower in pace now as he tried not to trip with Leila in his arms. Leila also felt his warm breath as Robin heave with exhaustion.

"In a way yes, we can make ourselves tangible though. A substance called ectoplasm- the gooey substance surrounding us- and the conscious of a human's mind after death forms most of us. We need to stop though Robin. You're exhausted."

"But what about-"

"He hasn't been following us since the explosion of your birdarang. I think he's just trying to prolong his game. In which case you should rest and we think of a plan on getting you back to the human world."

"Alright. There's a opening of trees up ahead, must be a clearing."

Upon entering the grove of trees, Robin gently set Leila against a large rock before sitting beside her, breathing heavily.

"You still have the side effects of that drug...the faster we get you out of here the better." Commented Leila as she inched closer to Robin, laying her hand on his forehead to check his temperature.

"You're not like other ghosts are you?"

Leila snickered at Robin's observation. **You have no idea little birdie. **

"No I'm not. Not all ghosts are evil. Just depends on their obsession sometimes."

"And yours is...?"

"The obsession of heroism. Trying to save others or help them. When I was…alive, I always admired the Justice League and those who would fight for what was right. Guess that's what I was thinking about while I was…dying. Doesn't go well though now. People scream 'ah ghost!' and run before I can do anything. Thinking I'm the enemy."

"Well I'm not running and you're helping me." Robin gives a jocular grin. Leila's stomach flipped (despite her irritation for it) and she suddenly knew how M'gann felt when she was with Superboy.

"Expect it was my fault you're in this place. Skulker-"

Leila was cut off as their handcuffs began to glow, shooting out a projection of a holographic screen with Skulker at the center.

"Greetings Whelp and Princess,"

Leila growled under her breath at the pet nickname.

"I have given you a three hour head-start. By now you should be fully prepared for the real hunt. I never lose. Time is ticking. Don't disappoint." Skulker menacing laughter echoes as the video screen disappears. Leila gave a worried glance at Robin as he frowns.

"Even if we escape Skulker- we still have these handcuffs to worry about. Are all your powers being suppressed?"

Leila frown as she shakily stood up, her legs feeling like Jell-O. Bending her legs for extra strength, Leila jumped up in an attempt for flight. Only to slam back into the ground, groaning, Leila pushed herself up.

"Well that answers that question. We'll have to think of a plan on getting the key from Skulker then."

"Are you okay?"

Leila heaved a sigh before nodding,

"I will be. Not the worst situation I've been in. You can call me Wraith by the way."

Robin grinned a cocky grin as he gave a small laugh,

"Clever. Mustn't been...dead that long then?" Robin hesitated at using the word 'dead', seeming not to want to offend the ghost girl. Leila's eyes unfocused slightly, debating on how much she should reveal to Robin. What made her curious was his laughter at her new alias name. **Does he already know? ** Ever since the rooftop, Robin was hiding something.

Should she tell him that it was actually her, Leila Benson, his best friend and partner against crime?

"No...I don't believe so. Time for a ghost isn't as relevant as compared to time for humans. I would presume it's only been a few months at the latest." Leila made herself sound distant, as if she hadn't thought about her death in a long time.

"And your cause of death? If you don't mind."

Leila look squarely into Robin's masked eyes. He was a detective; could it actually be possible he couldn't believe in the similarities between her ghost and human forms?

"Robin. You know don't you."

Robin paused before looking awkwardly away as he rubbed the back of his neck- guilty as charged. Although nervous, Leila felt relieved as she asked her next question,

"How long?"

"For certain? Since Bialya. I had my suspicions since that night in the park but I figured you would tell me when you were ready."

Leila nodded before pulling her legs in closer to herself.

"I was actually gonna tell the Team before Bialya. Even this morning. But then with the memory lost, I wasn't sure anymore how everyone would react. So many times I thought of how a battle could end differently if the Team knew about my...condition. My powers. How I could probably prevented our memory lost on that mission, or stop Clayface from defeating all of us before Batman intervened..."

Leila trailed off, looking away from Robin. Seconds of silence slipped away before Leila felt Robin's hand on hers.

"It's okay Leila. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is Robin." Leila glanced away, knowing it was her fault she had given Skulker both his targets. "Because of me, we're stuck here. Even if we escape Skulker, I don't know how to get out of here. Portals here aren't constant and, from what little I know, can go anywhere in the world at any time. The only portal..." Leila paused, shuddering at the thought.

"What portal?"

"The one that made me into this. It belongs to Vlad Masters- not one we should use."

"Vlad Masters? He did this to you." Sneered Robin. Leila perked up at Robin's sudden change of emotion, sensing the heat of hatred. Physically, Leila could see Robin clutching his fists and gritting his teeth.

"Robin we'll deal with how I became...this once we escape from Skulker. I have an idea- we should get moving. Let Skulker enjoy the hunt while he can."

Narrowing her eyes in determination, Leila shakily pushed herself up. Robin instantly followed, reaching out to steady her. Leila gave a nod of thanks before setting off to circle back around the island. Several booby-traps were dodged on Robin and Leila's way in. Some were net traps, some wiretap traps, while others were ground-hole traps and Leila hoped to use them to their advantage.

"Luckily Skulker didn't take our utility belts. Guess he's not as good as he thinks he is."

"What exactly did he need from us?"

"If my theory is correct- it was more from me whatever he needed. Or whatever Vlad needed from me. Like Skulker said, you were just a bonus." Leila shuddered at the thought. She never thought Vlad would leave her alone, but sending a hunter after her and then involving Robin. He obviously wanted her still alive- even if it was only half alive. She only hoped her plan would work to save Robin.

Leila and Robin crouched behind several bushes, peering across the clearing where they first arrived. She had attempted in changing back but Leila realize it was impossible with the handcuffs still on. Robin and her argued over his usage of the specter-reflector system; Leila still glared at him from time to time for his refusal. Now all they had to do was wait.

Both the Boy Wonder and the Ghost Girl spent hours double-taking trails and preventing capture, all leading back to where they started, a known fear pattern of people being hunted. Always to go to a place known to them. Creating the presumption to Skulker the fear he wanted from them. Leila suddenly tense her muscles to stillness as she saw a glimmer of Skulker's body armor. The prey was taking the bait and now the hunter was becoming the hunted. A shared glance with Robin, both heroes gave a curt nod before engaging their target together.

Robin had set motion-sensor, explosive birdarang discs and his notorious laughter began echoed throughout the island. Skulker merely tilt his head in laughter,

"Ghost child. You should know I can sense you as much as you can sense me. This puny act won't save you. I'll have your pelt on my wall!"

Skulker immediately turned around, sensing his target, only to get a double punch from both Leila and Robin as they strike. Stumbling back from impact, Skulker growled as he loaded a small gun from his shoulder again. Leila and Robin dodged the blast, Robin throwing a birdarang to disengage the weapon.

A partnered dance engulf between the two birds as they worked together against Skulker. Each was in sync with the other, anticipating movements in advance. As they dodged Skulker's counterattacks, Robin and Leila twirled, bend and flipped through the air. Skulker meanwhile continued to fire every weapon accessed to him; attempting to have the flight of birds caught in nets with broken wings. Multiple times, Leila would sneak a strike against Skulker. Attempting to find a weak link in his armor as she strike at body pressure points. All went to no avail. She would swing a kick at his side, only to leave a dent and laugh with his counterstrike. Occasion blasts would sear Leila, in attempts of protecting Robin from them. Robin would meanwhile strike birdarangs at Skulker's endless supply of weaponry.

Backhand springing away from Skulker's infinite gunshots of ectoplasm, Leila and Robin crouched down by the edge of the clearing. Underneath the bushes was the trigger for a booby trap, one in hopes to effectually hinder Skulker. Just as Skulker was honing in on top of his targets, Leila tipped the concealed wire on the ground. Dozen of tranquilizing darts shot out from the surrounding trees straight toward Skulker. Focused on his prey, Skulker cried out in surprise as he soon finds himself covered in tiny darts. Leila instantly rushed along side Robin towards Skulker, aiding each other in the next striking. Interlocking hands, Robin high kicked Skulker in the face. Just as Skulker stumbles back, Leila kicked-sweep his legs out from under him. A loud crack filled the jungle as Skulker falls to the ground, paralyzed.

"Gah! Whelp, when I get out of this-"

"We get it. You're the Ghost Zone's 'greatest hunter', blah blah, blah. Think he ever stops talking Robin?"

"Haha no wonder he can't catch anything. Too busy chatting. Seems disconcerted for him; more concerted for us though." Robin gives a cocky grin as Leila rolls her eyes and friendly punches him in the shoulder. Laughing to herself at Robin's play on words.

"Just help me find this key. Be easier when I can use my powers to help get us out of here."

Skulker chuckles as Robin searches his robotic suit for the handcuffs' key,

"That's it Princess? I thought the game was rather...intriguing. The way you kept me distracted. Never has my prey gotten the best of me before. Don't you want to stay till the end?"

Leila narrows her eyes as Skulker smirks but doesn't engage in his bait. It was enough that both her and Robin were stranded and hunted for fun in this eerie place. She would not participate in any more games. Instead, Leila focused her attention back to Robin as he grins and holds up the key. Aiming the metal key between the glowing cuffs, both disappear and released their captives.

Leila instantly springs in flight, testing her powers. Twirling in mid-air, Leila softly smiles at Robin as she lands beside him.

"Now just have to get off this island."

Robin gives a curt nod before following beside Leila.

Skulker gives a forbidding laugh as the two seemly walk away,

"Princess, you forget. I never lose."

Just as Leila turned back around, a sudden blast echoes throughout her eardrums. Instinct took over as Leila watches a ball of ectoplasmic fire race towards Robin.

"No!" Leila yells as she pushes Robin out of the way, taking the heat of the blast. It felt like a bullet of hundred volts ricocheted off her. Propelling her back towards the edge of the cliff. Leila rolled on impacted, skidding into the ground before tumbling off the edge. Time seemed to slow as Robin watched. He didn't even notice Skulker had turned back on his specter-reflector system by firing a small dart. Once Leila was hit, Robin ran after her, desperate to reach her in time. Robin jumped over the edge, following after Leila's fall.

The next thing Leila was aware of was slamming into the side of the cliff. Leila dangling above the vast emptiness below, dozens of electric shocks pulsed through her as someone gripped her arm tightly. Shrieking from behind her clutched mouth, Leila struggled against the person holding her. She wanted to slip away, have the shocks stop. She wanted to forever fall through the darkness if it meant the electrocution would stop.

Robin didn't know what to do. Leila's shrieks and struggles killed him to witness, but he couldn't let go of her or the cliff. Not with the abyss below. Green hues of ectoplasm swirled around them and Robin had to make a decision. Leila's screams pierced his ears and his stomach knotted. With Leila struggling, Robin's grip on the rock was slipping. Closing his eyes, Robin made his decision. He let go of the cliff. Instantly turning off the specter-reflector system, Robin turned to hold Leila in his arms for protection as she fainted.

Both birds fell; seeping deeper into the green hue abyss as an ominous laughter haunted them.

A/N: I'll have you all know that even I didn't see this coming. But I decided with this ending to the chapter so here it is! Don't you all love me now ;) Anyways, I'll try to have the next chapter up a.s.a.p. since it can't just be left it at that. Well I could but I'm not that cruel- know how it feels being on the other side of receiving a cliffhanger. ;) Hope you all enjoyed this chapter still and please, please, please review! Even if it's just- "great story" or "I like how you write" etc. It's really helpful and encouraging to know how my readers/followers are liking or disliking the story. Plus love to hear what people think of the story, characters and if they have any suggestions to consider. Thank you for your continued favorites, follows, and reviews!