Chapter 20:
Third Person:
There comes a point in everyone's life that they think about murder, Gear thought livid, Most people ignore it or become shocked. The others become murders, serial killers… Though usually even they get caught… But I won't get caught when I murder that sick bastard for bringing my little dudette into this.
Her fists clenched and in a fit of pure anger, she punched a nearby wall, causing more damage to her knuckles and hands then the wall. She briefly looked down to her bleeding knuckles before glancing at the undamaged wall as she breathed heavily. She knew how to defend herself, she knew martial arts, but she wasn't necessarily strong as she was quick. Therefore she honestly couldn't have expected to cause more than minor paint damage and a few chips into the small bare area of her wall.
But she didn't care that her knuckles were bleeding, not when Dani was involved. Dani was like a little sister- a kid that looked up to Gear, not as a superhero role model, but as a normal role model, a position that Gear was honored to have. Dani was her little dudette, Gear watched over her, checked up on her. Now, if she paid more attention- done some more researching as to why Dani may not be answering her calls those previous months before, then Dani may not be in Vlad's arms now.
Feeling more relived as she sat back down at the table, she typed away at the computer. Hacking into the League was easy. It was on the same basic system that the Bats' computers ran on. Now she just had to get a message to them so they could go help Vlad before Danny turned into Dan. She reread the message with a slight smirk. If Danny did go Dan and ended up having to be brought down, she wanted to make sure that Vlad would go down too. Though she felt a bit of pride in making the message sound a bit more professional- if anything to emphasis the urgency of the situation.
Listen to me and listen to me closely. I understand your hesitance to find anything I send to you, I am a known criminal of sorts after all- even if I am working on it.
Either way, Vladimir Masters is a manipulative bastard. Attached are various documents, videos, and audio recordings to back up evidence of fraud, falsifying reports and various other papers, involvement with the previously shutdown Guys in White, and other things that are sure to put him in jail for a long time. If not, here something that is- the finale video will show a transformation of sorts that you may sound shocking. Vlad Masters is Vlad Plasmius, a ghost. An evil one at that. Using his powers for his own gain, he overshadowed many of the men who gave him the fortune he is now known for (starting as far back as twenty years ago). His sole obsession used to be a woman named Madeline Fenton. Now, however, his obsession has switched to Poltergeist after her death (Note- he had attempted murder on Madeline's husband multiple times). His goal? To get Poltergeist on his side as the apprentice or a son- an offer that Poltergeist declines repeatedly.
However, now, Vlad the Bastard has taken someone that Poltergeist cares deeply for as either a hostage or some sort of trade- information is unknown. Location coordinates are noted at the bottom and situation could quickly turn for the worse. If you mean what you say about helping the Poltergeist reform, prove it. If not, be aware that your own proteges are there at the fight as well.
Take him down before Poltergeist does something he will regret.
Sign,
Your friendly neighborhood hacker
She pressed the send button and then looked down at her bleeding hand with a sigh. She had to get bandaged up before she could do anything else to help.
The team looked at the Poltergeist in shock- never once considering that he did say he was a ghost which inferred that he did once have a family, Robin knew he had an older sister (a 'Vivian Jefferson' but he has suspicions). Poltergeist stood there a bit weak in the knees. His eyes were still wide and a part of him was still in shock.
"You have a sister," Kid Flash practically shouted.
"Danielle," Danny explained, "…I haven't seen her in a long time though… I didn't… I should have been there for her."
He scowled deeply as his eyes flashed red. He should have been there. He shouldn't have let her run away, but then again since she did it might've been what saved her from his parents. But he should have looked for her. He knew that Gear was keeping track of her- though she would never admit it- so that meant that Vlad had to have been a bit sneaky to get past Gear's devices. But he should have just tell Gear to tell him where she was so he could get her.
But though would he want the criminal life for her back when he was a criminal? Yes. If it meant getting her away from Vlad.
When he looked back up, his eyes were narrowed and glowing a deep dangerous red.
"Don't hurt her," the Poltergeist growled, his voice going dangerously low and echoing, "Don't you dare hurt her, Vlad. This is between you and me."
"Oh no dear boy," Vlad said, his eyes gleaming with evil, "I believe this is between all of us. Join me and she'll go free… I just can't promise you that she will be in one piece when I hand her over."
Vlad's hand charged with an ectoblast as it wavered around Danielle's unconscious body, threatening to shot the girl. Poltergeist growled again. His hair danced in flames around his head. His aura seemed to pulse and brighten, causing the team to take a step back to be able to see correctly. The team shared a concerned look. They noticed that when the Poltergeist did either something morally wrong (stealing) or angry, his appearance changed.
"Uhhh Poltergeist," Robin said over the link, "You okay?"
"Yeah just dandy CONSIDERING HE IS THREATENING MY LITTLE SISTER!"
Superboy covered his ears, Poltergeist's voice screaming in his mind wasn't pleasant- the others showed signs of displeasure as well.
"Look," Robin said, "I get that you're a bit overwhelmed but yelling about it won't do much so we need a plan and-"
"-How's this for a plan?!"
Poltergeist charged at Vlad, catching him off guard. His eyes were wide slightly- Daniel was never that mad before, so why he was mad now? Was it because of the little brat? Danielle stirred a bit, but otherwise didn't wake up. However, Danny's attack did cause Vlad to drop her. Superboy made a dive and caught her, giving Poltergeist the thumbs up that she was alright.
Poltergeist didn't even have time to acknowledge or thank Superboy as Vlad shot a large ecto-blast at Danny. He flew backwards until he hit a nearby tree- or rather, three trees- and he still broke it. He didn't even wince as he got right back up again and made another charge towards Vlad,
"You don't threaten the only family I have left!"
Danny screamed as he continued to fight Vlad. The team did their best trying to help, taking out any duplicates and protected Danielle from stray shots and anything else that may be a danger to her. Robin was the one who ended up having to hold her and he frowned when he realized that she was a bit too light. He knew that Poltergeist would never allow her to just not eat, yet she felt underweight. She stirred before she slowly opened her eyes.
"Hi," Robin said cheerfully in greeting.
Her eyes widened and she jumped out of his arms, getting into a fighting stance similar (yet a bit sloppier) than the Poltergeist's. Her eyes darted around her surroundings- at first, she didn't notice Danny or Vlad. She just noticed the spandex-clad teens in front of her. Recognizing them as heroes, she relaxed slightly, but still kept prepared.
"Where am I," Danielle asked sternly.
"Just outside Happy Harbor," Robin answered.
"Pardon me," Kaldur questioned, "But what is the last thing you remember?"
"I…I was traveling," Danielle answered carefully, her head a bit foggy, "I got caught from behind… About a month ago… I… He… Vlad kept me caged and hidden like an animal…."
Her fists tightened and her eyes shut before she calmed down.
"Next thing I know," she finished, "I was here. But where's Vlad?"
Poltergeist crashed down to the ground roughly, barely missing Danielle and the team. He left a large crater in the dirt. Danielle's eyes widened.
"Danny," she asked surprised before running up to him, despite protests from the heroes, "Danny! What happened to you?"
"Lots," he said, "Guys, keep her safe and away from the fight- please."
Danielle put her foot down hard,
"No way! You are not fighting Vlad on your own!"
"He's not alone," Kaldur gently chimed in, "He has us backing him up."
Danielle turned to the team and looked them over once again. She noticed the concerned looks in their eyes when they saw Danny fly off again to fight Vlad. They were friends. She smiled,
"Glad he has some friends again! But you are not gonna stop me from joining the fight!"
"Maybe they can't," a voice chimed, "But we will."
They all turned in mild surprise. Superman, Batman and Black Canary stood there proudly and confidently.
"This fight ends now," Batman said darkly.