Ch.20: Take A Stand, Make A Fall
Danny stretched his arms wide as he pretended the edge of the building was a tightrope. Because of his training, he did not sway back and forth unsteadily but stayed perfectly balanced. Out of boredom, he did a cartwheel on the edge and landed back on his feet with a smile. The teen stood on the edge of the building and overlooked his city, peacefully.
"How you doing in your area, Phantom?" Spoiler asked through the com expectantly. It was the routine check-up on the youngest by one of the older siblings.
Danny pressed his com and answered "It's all good. I'm meeting up with Dick in a few minutes."
"10-4." The teen's sister answered before the line went dead.
Danny looked to the sky and grinned, basking in the practically tangible love his family gave him. His smile was abruptly wiped off when he heard a sharp smack and a small cry. He waited silently for another sound, his ears now alert for the smallest of sounds in the area. His feet moved on their own down the side of the building and he scanned through windows to find the sight he was hoping didn't exist.
He stopped when he heard a loud, deep shout. He scanned another line of windows and on the seventh floor of an apartment complex, a faint bluish light shone through the transparent glass from a TV. He watched as a small girl walked by the window, sporting a shiner on her cheek and glistening tears around her eyes.
Danny, ignoring the rise of panic in his chest and trying in vain to give the parents in the apartment the benefit of the doubt, floated silently downwards to better see into the window. He clenched his jaw tightly, tears springing to his eyes when he saw a man with a beer bottle in his hands and a woman sitting at the counter, pretending to not notice her daughter crying in the background with a pain-stricken expression. The man shouted something that made the girl flinch and when she didn't answer, he turned on her angrily and demanded an answer. The six or seven year old stuttered in response, trying to provide an answer but received a hard smack for her effort.
The Ghost Boy flew forward as fast as he could. He broke through the glass, creating a loud shattering sound that echoed throughout the street. Danny didn't seem to notice the few cuts he received or the loud sound he made. His gleaming green eyes were locked onto the man that had smacked his daughter. The man stared at the teen with a shell-shocked expression.
In a cold voice, Danny said loud and clearly "I don't tolerate abusers." before he smashed his fist into the older man's nose. The drunkard stumbled back, his nose twisted unnaturally, before he collapsed onto the ground, barely conscious. Danny made a show of walking forward, ignoring the woman's frightful stare and the girl's wide eyes, and standing over the drunkard.
"Try anything ever again and I will make sure you face much worse than one broken nose." Danny hissed before kicking the man in the head, efficiently knocking him out. The teen looked at the woman, who froze at his stare petrified. The teen shook his head before walking slowly up to the terrified girl. He kneeled down next to her and solemnly told her "My daddy hit me to." Crest-fallen, the teen shrugged at her.
The girl's eyes widened at him before she gave him a hug around his neck. Danny returned it before he picked her up, putting the girl on his back. "What's your name?"
"I'm Jadyn." The girl answered.
Danny, eyes tired, strained to smile at her reassuringly. "Well Jadyn, you can call me Danny."
The Ghost Boy walked to the window and crouched in it, knowing that phasing would probably spook the girl and make her let go, which could be extremely tragic if she decided to let go in the wall or seven stories high in the air. He looked back at her and said "Hold on tight. We're about to fly."
Gently, he floated up and evenly into the sky above the buildings. He heard the girl behind him gasp at the view of the buildings below her and smiled faintly again. Slowly, the teen drifted towards the GCPD, flowing up and down and weaving zig-zags in the air. Jadyn, whenever they seemed to pick up a little bit of speed as they were directed downwards, would giggle hysterically and tighten her arms around the teen's neck. It made the Ghost Boy's spirits lift every so lightly.
As he was gaining altitude leisurely, getting ready to direct himself toward the ground, he paused when he heard a small, familiar whir. Quickly as he could, he twisted and made a green dome around him and his passenger. As quickly as it was up, a green beam rammed into the side and created a small crack that was easily fixed with a little concentration.
Jadyn released a small, terrified squeak while Danny glared angrily at the offending GIW agent. As soon as the Idiot in White had stepped out of the alley, other footmen had appeared and surrounded the teen and his passenger from the ground. One of them called in reinforcements and before the request was finished, a helicopter and two squad cars had joined the ground soldiers.
The Ghost Teen sighed both in anger and in exhaustion. He was a little confused on where his earlier energy had gone, leaving him feeling drained. It felt oddly like when he was eight and he'd walk home from school. He had endured constant teasing throughout the day, only to go home and receive more maltreatment from his father. That walk was always quiet but full of exhaustion and preparation for an oncoming battle.
"What do you idiots want?!" Danny yelled, lighting his hands with vivid green energy. The emerald green light illuminated his pale face and snow hair. Jadyn stared at the energy with a curious interest, her eyes reflecting the brilliant light. The tears she shed in her old apartment glistened brightly, giving the illusion of green flames in the center of each teardrop.
"Put the hostage down and surrender yourself Phantom! We're taking you to our lab once and for all!" The leader, Agent Z, yelled into a large megaphone.
Danny nearly face-palmed with a big ball of ecto-energy in his hand. Hostage? Were they serious?
"Do as we say now!"
…yeah, they were serious…
"She's not a hostage, morons! I'm just taking her to the police department! Yeesh, don't get your panties in a twist!" Danny shouted at the white-clad men, a frown playing on his lips. The green ecto-blasts were still fizzling angrily in his hands, ready to be used as fire power.
"You're a liar! Ghosts have no good intentions!" Agent Z shouted.
"Does the last five years of my life mean nothing to you?!" Danny questioned hysterically. Seriously, his record was spotless! It was beautiful! He was the poster child for on camera events (because all the events at the Watchtower would be a big, fat stain on his record)!
"Yes." Agent Z answered plainly.
The teen let one hand of energy fizzle out and face-palmed, earning a giggle from his passenger. "I knew there was a reason I hated these douche-bags…"
Turning his green dome into a wave of raw energy, the teen flung it at one group of foot-soldiers before sending another wave at the second set.
The energy was like water and merely made the ground rumble and knock the agents onto their back, earning many winded grunts in return. The teen gripped Jadyn's forearms still wrapped around his neck tightly and turned in the direction of the GCPD. Just as he took off, there was a loud bang and the teen felt a bullet pierce his side. The teen immediately screamed as fire, or least he thought it was fire, coursed through his veins.
Danny plummeted instantly. His cloudy mind was coherent enough to wrap Jadyn in his arms and cushion their fall, creating a crater in the ground. After, he quickly released the girl as he arched his back and screamed. He convulsed, breathes barely coming in gasps as pained moans escaped his mouth.
The teen felt small hands fiddle with the com in his ear before taking it out completely. He vaguely heard shouts before his screams drowned it out by the teen screeching at the top of his lungs. His throat was quickly going raw with the way he was using his vocal chords. Tears escaped his closed eyes and rolled down his cheeks.
Pained sobs fell from his mouth as he gasped painfully for air. He couldn't stop convulsing, making everything all the more harder.
Cloudily, as if he was underwater, he heard stomps approaching them before a small voice shouted "No!". Someone's small form laid on top of his convulsing one, wrapping their noodle arms around his neck and tucking their head under his chin. The teen gasped harder, somehow knowing the person was trying to help him but they weren't doing a good job at it, making it harder for him to breathe.
A sticky liquid clung to his side. The cold, thick fluid was starting to form a puddle around him and stain his jumpsuit. Danny's body left it for a moment when he arched his back and screamed again before he re-fell back into the puddle, mouth opening and closing for breath. But it wasn't coming to him and he was beginning to panic because he couldn't breathe and if he didn't breathe soon he was going to die!
The teen panicked more when blood began clogging his throat and sputtered out of his mouth mercilessly. As he tried to take a breath, the liquid was swallowed and he began to practically drown.
The arms around his neck became strained as they tried to hold on. Someone was trying to pull the figure away but the person wouldn't let go of his neck. The noodle arms were suddenly gone and Danny was alone, screaming and convulsing as fire ran through his veins.
Rough hands grabbed his arms and pulled him up. Danny jerked wildly as pain flew through his body and registered abruptly in his mind. Someone's hand flew across his cheek as pain continued to race up and down his body in spasms, his body still convulsing violently.
Suddenly, everything erupted into loud gun-shots and wooshes of projectiles. The two holding him up, dropped him into someone else's waiting and gentle arms. Another figure, much much smaller than the first, rested their hands on his chest worriedly.
Over his screaming, Danny barely made out the conversation going on.
"What's wrong with him?!"
"He rescued me from my daddy but those mean men shot him and he started screaming! He won't stop screaming! Make him stop screaming!"
"I'm trying, I'm trying! I want him to stop too!"
Fingers dove into the wound in the teen's side, making Danny's eyes open and scream horrendously loud in pain as his back arched. Without any mercy, the invader ripped the bullet from his side, sending blood splattering everywhere.
The fire instantly left. The teen, though still in a large amount of pain, took a large gulp of air and greedily breathed in like there was no tomorrow. His body managed to relax as his head lulled back. His dull, green eyes drifted open and closed as his head was tilted forward. Blood continued to spew from his mouth but, thankfully, at a slower rate.
When his eyes were open, Danny was able to see two fuzzy figures above him. One was tall and dressed all in black, two ears up and giving the impression of a bat. The other was much smaller and had long, brown hair.
Voices vibrated through his ears. They sounded far away and underwater. So far away…
"Danny, come on, stay awake! You need to stay awake! Can you hear me?! Danny, can you hear me?!"
Slowly, the teen's eyes drifted close. Black began closing in on all sides. The voices became more desperate.
"Keep your eyes open, Danny! Stay awake! Stay awake for me! Danny, open your eyes! DANNY!"
Be-Beep… Be-Beep… Be-Beep… Be-Beep…
Danny opened his eye's slowly, the shapes and colors around him fuzzy and difficult to make out. The beeping sound continued to play steadily in his ears. He made a small groan before turning onto his side and hugging his chest.
Muffled sounds of people rang in his ears. They sounded excited as they crowded around him. Danny didn't make any sounds as distant voices asked questions. He was hoping things would become less fuzzy to the eyes and ears.
Slowly, things did begin to clear and Danny recognized the people as his family.
Bruce, dressed as Batman but lacking the cowl, was kneeling next to his side, one hand stroking his ebony-hair. Dick, dressed as Nightwing but no mask over his eyes, was freaking out beside him in both excitement and extreme worry. Jason stood calmly beside him with a nervous frown on his face. Tim stood rather close to the second oldest Bat, looking like he had suffered multiple panic attacks. The teen could feel his other siblings on his other side, all probably sporting worried looks.
Danny closed his eyes and mumbled "Did you get the number of the train that hit me? Cause they didn't kill me like planned…"
A dozen relieved sighs echoed throughout the room, as well as a few just-as-relieved chuckles.
Danny could hear his father do both. "Didn't catch the number. But we do have the blood-blossom bullet."
"I'll try to avoid that next time." Danny muttered, a small smile gracing his face as he reopened his eyes. "What happened to Jadyn?"
Dick bent over Bruce's shoulder with a big grin. "Barbara dropped her off at the GCPD after calling us using your com and saving your life in the process. She's staying at her aunts and her father is getting tried. Her mother is also staying with Jadyn and her aunt."
A smile graced the teen's face. "I'm happy."
I've been dying to do this one! Can't believe I finally did it! (I'm sorry for the angst. A crappy day of biology and algebra make me angsty.)
Kadzait: Good job, Kodi.
LOVE YOU KAD! XD
(Sorry it took so long! Was texting one of my best friend's ever and haven't talked to him in forever!)
Ideas above were from the combined suggestions of GuardianWitchDemiGhost, 16ckelman, and BrownHair2918.
Thanks to these people for favoriting and/or following: Waters127 (and thanks for favoriting me!) and Bookwormrdd.
Reviews:
Skymuse: I don't know what's special about Vegas either. Don't worry. XD School sucks. I know.
Poohbearmorris: Wouldn't surprise me if he did it. Happy (late) birthday!
Guest of Honor: We'll see. I'm already drowning under ideas and not that I don't appreciate them, I just kinda wanna do my own ideas too. *shrugs* Lovely fact about Vlad. :D And I got a plan for Jack already... It's gonna be so intense! XD
Scheffelman: Yeah... Disturbing image... XD
IWasNeverReal: The poor casino people had no idea what hit them. XD
Heiress of Slytherin Serenity: Lovely... XD
Sarra Torrens: No because I need him! ... I think...
Animegal1357: Course!
Crimson Leo: People get behind every once in awhile. I get it. XD Thank you~!
GreenDrkness: Hm... I'll think about it. :D
KainVixenheim: Bat's probably just killed a few dozen brain cells trying to get his kid semi-normal and less violent. Hence his stupidness. XD
Insanechildoftorture: Uh... Does ever Bat-Mite EVER grow up is the only question I have for that idea. XD
Ninuhuju: Not just the casino. But Vegas altogether. XD
Fluteplayer99: Hm... Another friday night? ... We'll see. XD I like YJ but I didn't like the second season. I don't like the time skip.
YumiStar: NO KIDDING. XD
BloodBlossom88: (Danny: Why do you hate me? Me: She doesn't you. And neither do I. We're just sadists.) Look up gambling games and there ya go! Thank you internet!
Tigergirl1723: He'd probably fall into complete and utter despair. And Kage is an OC for a buddy of mine. XD
Anime Hotty Lover. 18: Now we're waiting for Vegas entirely to be broke. XD
Ethiopian1987: He's 14 but still... XD Oh Walker... I have an idea. XD
SomeItalian: Anything having to do with Vlad scares Danny. XD
Supaherolena02: Those specific gamblers are gonna need to find new careers. XD
BringbackDannyPhantom: It really doesn't. SORRY VEGAS!
THEBOXGHOST113: Torture is coming. Calm down. XD His name is Declan.
Robin135: YEAH! I'm happy to hear! :D
JP-Rider: Send that to Vegas for everyone to know. XD
Bibbledoo: Word of Danny hadn't reached Vegas yet, sorry. XD
ShyActiveReader: Probably got banned from Vegas all-together! XD Why does everyone want glue hell in Walker's prison all the sudden?
Waters127: It happens to the best of us. XD
SweetyKinz: *snorts* When parents need to question their children... They don't. XD We all thought Bruce was smarter than that (glad I made you laugh)! Bye bye A-Listers money. XD
Grava: No frikkin kidding. XD