Bats and Ghosts Part 3
Rating: T
Pairings: a hint of SuperMartian. And I guess DaniellexDamian if you squint, but not really intended.
Ages: Bruce: 35-38, Dick: 23, Jason: 20, Tim: 17-18, Damian: 14-15, Barbara: 22-23, Dan: 24-25, Danny: 14-15, Dani: 12-13.
Bart Allen: 17, Miss Martian: 25[earth years], etc.
Basically the same ages of all the characters in the second season of Young Justice + 4 years extra.
Summary: Could Bruce really keep his promise to Dan? Not only was the young man psychologically damaged in more ways than he could imagine, but ending Dan's existence would mean taking yet another family member from Danny and Danielle's life.
Extra Notes: This is something of a personal manufactured AU of Earth-16 [Young Justice earth/world], so forgive me on my lack of comic book knowledge or timelines. I wish I understood it all better. I am learning, but it's all so very confusing. I just really like bringing in other characters I read about that might not be from Earth-16. Then I adapt them the best I can.
Extra Extra Note: Alive!WallyWest
"All I ask, is that you have love in your heart if you're forced to take me down."
"Now we're having a real ball!" Joker's exclamation was cut short by a right hook from Batman. Next to the Dark Knight, Robin took a graceful leap over Harley's hammer swing and landed behind the woman, ready to attack. He took several swings and threw in couple harsh jabs as Harley twisted dipped and tried her best to avoid his attacks.
"RAAAAAAH!" Black Adam's roar pierced the air as he pile-drived Captain Marvel into the cement. Captain Marvel peeled himself out of the crater twisting around and landing a punch on Adam's jaw, making a resounding crack echo across the battlefield.
The Injustice League had attacked D.C. and according to the Joker, it had been for funsies. Whether that was completely true or not, was questionable.
The Kid Flash, Bart Allen, was handling Shade, zipping around the Shade's shadows before they could do much harm. Wonder Woman and Cheetah were duking it out, barely holding back since the two really personally didn't like each other. Superman and Soloman Grundy were having a throw down. Flash, Wally West, was handling Gorilla Grodd, flipping and dodging and generally just aggravating the hell out of the villain. Supergirl, who was apparently Superman's long lost cousin, was playing defensive against Parasite, trying to avoid his draining and power-stealing touch. Wraith took all these sights in as he finished restraining Count Vertigo, seeing as he was completely immune to the man's attacks. Ghosts had perfect equilibrium no matter what their orientation.
Wraith grinned maliciously as Vertigo's bound form was slammed against a light pole and stuck there by his ectoplasmic binds. "Pathetic." He hissed under his breath and turned around to see if Superman needed help manhandling Grundy or Supergirl was having too much trouble with Parasite, since the monster couldn't touch a ghost if Wraith was mindful of his intangibility use. His mouth opened as red mist fled from within. His thoughts of Parasite and Grundy were nixed immediately, wondering what could be keeping Phantom. Gentlemen Ghost was annoying to living beings because he couldn't easily be touched by them, but he should be somewhat of a pushover to ghosts like them.
His red eyes locked on the ghost and Phantom squaring off a bit aways from the others. He was able to see that a part of a building had fallen and more than likely Phantom had been distracted by helping civilians. Then he noticed there was someone stuck in the rubble and a couple other humans were trying to pull to poor sod out. Danny was erecting a barrier, trying to give the humans the chance to free their friend.
Wraith saw the ghost's flintlock gun aim right in Danny's center of mass. That bullet would shatter his barrier like glass, he hadn't taught Danny yet about how to further thicken his shield. Wraith dove into the earth and came up next to Danny within his shield right as the gunshot sounded and the barrier was shattered.
It felt like white-hot pain tearing through his shoulder and gut and at first he thought it would be fine. The pain would ebb and his wounds would heal within an hour, but then he heard Phantom cry out in pain. His vision turned red with rage.
Danny felt burning pain in his shin and he wondered if his leg had been broken by the ghostly bullet. He tumbled back onto his butt and lower back, hearing Gentlemen Ghost cackling until his voice suddenly and unexpectedly cut off. He heard some gasps and intakes of air behind him and finally, Danny opened his eyes.
There was nothing but a green smear blasted across the ground and it even reached the buildings on the other side of the street. Jim Craddock, was no more. Panic filled his body, numbing the aching pain in his wounded leg and his eyes zipped around, trying to find Dan.
There he was. Dan was currently smashing Grundy into the ground, repeatedly. When the great giant stopped moving, Dan eyed the trapped Vertigo with red pupil-less eyes and roared before lunging at him. Superman and Supergirl were next to Dan in the blink of an eye and grabbed at his cape, only for the fabric to slip through their hands intangibility. Danny shot forward and tackled Dan to the side, right before one of his large black-clawed hands could tear into the man's throat.
"Wraith stop!" Danny yelped. He flinched in fear, feeling Dan's hot, almost gasoline smelling breath on his face. The larger and stronger ghost could easily blow his face off with a breath of fire or a wail. He focused on resonating his core with Dan's. As he attempted to stop his struggling brother-figure, he could hear shouts and other signs that fighting was going on around him. He had to stop Dan or he'd actually tire and bleed out, since he was part human now. Finally he whisper-yelled, "Dan!"
zz
"Do you need anything, Danny?"
Danny looked over at the young woman that was tending to his leg, finishing up with looking at the splint and bandages. By tomorrow afternoon his bones in his shin would be mended and his flesh would knit back together long before then, but the splint would help make sure the healing happened properly. Danny tried to smile and slowly shook his head.
Miss Martain frowned slightly, feeling the sadness and anxiety in Danny as well as his mind flushing against her emotions of concern and sisterly care. When Danny had met M'gann when Batman had brought the three ghosts to meet the League for the first time, she'd instantly reminded him of his late older sister. Dan had somewhat predictably preferred to avoid her and his memories of Jazz rather than find comfort in new friends.
Danny smiled a little better and tried to continue talking with her, knowing she knew he knew, that she wanted to distract him from what had happened.
"Where's Superboy?"
M'gann was about to answer when Bart was suddenly at the doorway.
"Hey there, little Phantom! How you feeling?"
Danny smirked at the older boy. "Just fine, traffic cone."
"That name again?"
"How are the twins doing?" Danny asked.
Bart gave a giant grin. "Barry and Iris just about had a heart-attack when they started to suddenly crawl away super fast. You should've seen the looks on their faces. Barry hadn't even bothered to put his suit on, so his hair looked crazy."
"I bet he's getting impatient though," Danny replied.
"He keeps asking Wally over and over if he's sure he's fine taking his place for a while. Barry knows Artemis is always worrying about him, but with the kids, Barry's actually really calm and still. It's kinda spooky to watch."
"Just as spooky to watch your own father grow up?" Danny asked with a crooked smile.
Bart snorted and went to open his mouth to reply with the obvious, before he saw Danny's face fall.
"Speaking of temporal anomalies, do either of you know how Dan is, or are you both just here to keep me busy?" Danny asked, a bit of resentment creeping into his voice.
"I'm sure he's fine, bud," Bart offered, becoming more subdued and not as excited as before. M'gann put an arm around Danny and gave him a short squeeze.
"Ghosts are some of the most durable beings we've ever seen. I'm sure Dan's already healed."
"Maybe. His body is still getting used to being part human though." Danny paused. "You think I could float around with this splint?"
M'gann hummed slightly. "Normally, I'd say no mister, but since ghost flight is a bit different and gravity actually doesn't affect you at all, I think you'd be good."
Danny gave a half-smile and jumped up as the lack of gravity on his body let him float off the cot. "I want to find Batman and talk to him…"
M'gann nodded. "Alright, Danny. I'm going to go check on Superboy and Match." A small sigh escaped her lips.
"Match is making progress! Don't be so glum!" Bart cheered.
M'gann nodded. "I know, but I can't help but worry about Connor… He's become so emotionally invested in Match's progress."
"He'll be okay either way. I'm sure of it," Danny smiled. Bart was first to leave and he zipped away before they could blink and then M'gann and Danny both phased through the wall.
zz
Whelp. He was royally fudged. He let out a loud shameless groan of both pain and he supposed frustration.
He'd nearly blacked-out when Danny had finally been able snap him out of his rage. He'd forgotten just how painful being partially alive could be. That wasn't to say ghosts didn't feel an equivalent to pain or death, but half-ghosts were physiologically and physically more like humans. In short,
Two damn bullet holes in his shoulder and abdomen hurt like hell.
"Wznm Xolxpdlip zmw srh wfnyzhh nzmrkfozgrlm. Gsv lymlcrlfh kirxp!" (Damn Clockwork and his dumbass manipulation. The obnoxious prick!) Dan hissed as he tried to pull himself into a seating position. He hated laying on his back. It was too much of a vulnerable position.
It was weird to be honest, to look down over his bare legs and arms and see peachy skin. It wasn't so much that he wasn't used to peach flesh, he'd disguised himself enough in the past before becoming half-human again. No, it was waking up to see peach instead of greenish-blue.
He finally pulled himself up and transformed into his ghost-half. He didn't like not having much clothing on and his thick hazmat suit made his body feel safer. He grit his teeth, he'd never cared about that sort of thing before. He'd never needed comfort or the feelings of safety because he was dead and there wasn't much that could be done to destroy a ghost of his power level.
Dan tried his best to recall what happened after he'd gotten shot. There was a gap of his memory missing between the pain and waking up on the asphalt with Danny saying his name over and over. Nothing. He couldn't remember a thing. Then a sharp stab of fear for the little twerp coursed through him and made his core clench slightly. Just as he was about to get up and go ask questions, probably from Bruce, that very man was at the corner of the door.
"Daniil."
For some reason, that Dan couldn't explain, hearing the man say his name soothed him. The part of his soul that was still fourteen ached for a moment. Of course, he only hardened his face in return, he was in the body of an adult after all. "Bruce, what happened?" He watched the older man let a small frown come to his face.
"We'll explain when you're in the meeting room. How do your wounds feel?"
Dan snorted and folded his arms, ignoring the twinges he got from his bullet holes. "They'll be fine in a few short hours. What about Danny, did he get hurt? I warned that idiot about trying to put up a thin shield against those ectoplasmic bullets of Craddock's."
"The bullet that went through your shoulder, abdomen, and exited your lower back, struck Danny's shin and broke the bones there. Other than that he's fine."
Dan dropped his arms. "Alright. I'm guessing I did something bad since you can't tell me what happened without the others present?"
Batman didn't answer and Dan didn't bother trying to make the man talk.
zz
"You destroyed Gentlemen Ghost, viciously attacked Grundy and then attempted to murder Count Vertigo," Superman explained to Wraith as the League stood about facing Batman and his oldest ward.
"But Kal, hasn't Red Hood murdered people? I know we aren't supposed to kill, ever, but aren't we taking this a bit far?" Supergirl asked, crossing her arms.
"Red Hood is not affiliated with the League, nor is he very public, Wraith is," Manhunter stated calmly.
Wraith closed his eyes as he listened to the heroes start to debate calmly. He didn't care wether or not they kicked him out of the League. To be honest, he never wanted to join; he was perfectly okay with just knocking the criminals around Gotham silly. Both Danny and Danielle had wanted him to, Bruce had said his abilities could possibly save lives, Dick had said it was fun, Tim had been anxious, and Damian, the brat, had just told him and Danny to stay out of the way, though noticeably didn't nag at Danielle as much. What Wraith was more focused on was the fact that he'd destroyed something completely. That meant he and Bruce needed to talk about ending him, if the man was bold enough to keep his end of the deal.
"He was just trying to protect his brother-"
Wraith sighed loudly, gaining everyone's attention before turning to Batman. "Forget the whole League thing. I don't care if I'm part of the boy and girl scouts R us group." His red eyes locked with Batman's. "You remember the deal, right?"
"Deal? What deal?" Wally asked.
"I apparently destroyed Craddock."
"…" Batman continued to silently gaze at Wraith.
"Can you do it though? It won't be a painless way to die, but it's one of the only things that will stop my core," Wraith continued.
"Whoa whoa whoa, death, core? What is this about?" Green Arrow asked, eyes widening slightly. Gar and Jaime exchanged a quick glance.
"I'm guessing he didn't tell you everything about what I am exactly?" Wraith asked, before noticing the bat glare being sent his way. "Oh yeah, sulk, sulk, brood, brood, right back at ya."
"There's no need to go to such lengths," Red Tornado droned.
"I am the future version of Phantom. I am ten years his senior and was a dark future of his. I destroyed our dimension's world and ruled over it with an iron fist. In short, I'm barely sane."
"So wait, you're telling me we've been working with nothing short of an Arkham Patient?" John Stewart asked, a little anger slipping into his voice.
"Yeah, yeah, but here's the deal. You get to end me now, got it, Bats?" Wraith pressed.
"No, we're not going to-" Superman started before Batman cut him off.
"I've managed to make the Blood Blossom serum add another compound that should take the edge off of the pain."
"Well aren't you smart?" Wraith scoffed.
"I'm not ending you though. Phantom was able to stop you before you did much damage. Gentlemen Ghost was-"
Wraith growled and narrowed his eyes at Batman, making a few League members somewhat comically flinch, Wraith had a pretty horrifying glare too. "You've got to draw the line somewhere… I dug my own grave if you'll excuse the poor wording. You can't hold me in a prison, trust me. I'll loose my shit. I've spent enough time in a tiny little thermos. I'll just break out and actually kill some more innocent people so you might as well end it now."
"You're quite determined to end it," Batman replied.
"…I'm very tired," Wraith mumbled.
"You aren't the only one to loose their family."
"Yes… true. But you also don't have a timeline's worth of humanity's blood on your hands. You haven't killed like I have, Red hoodie hasn't killed like me."
"You regret it though. You're starting to sound more afraid than any kind of honorable, Daniil."
Dan stopped talking for a moment and collected his thoughts. "That's just the thing though… I don't regret it. All Jazz was able to do was help me latch onto and obsess over something else rather than destruction. I don't regret fulfilling my obsession to destroy. They deserved it. All of them deserved to rot on the dusty wastelands I burnt to ash with my own two hands." He glared at a random spot in the room as Danny phased into sight there a second later.
"Dan, don't say that!"
"Don't even start! You know what an obsession is like!"
Danny shivered at the emotion Dan was giving out and he knew the empaths on the Watchtower were feeling it too. "Dan. You just need some help. We should've waited to let you fight in the public eye."
"That wouldn't have have prevented anything. I mean you're just dandy around knives, am I right? So in control of your emotions-" Dan drawled in sarcasm. He knew it wasn't so much that they were half-ghosts and could lose control of their emotions from time to time, it was that he was oh so much more easily set off.
Danny flinched hard, the vision of surgical equipment flashing before his eyes and then screamed at him. "Okay so I'm a little scarred alright! But I'm not like you!"
"We're the same person!" Really, Dan was just trying to get Danny mad enough to stomp off and leave them alone. Though, knowing just what went through that goodie two shoes mind of his, he wasn't going to stomp off like normal, because Dan's life was being discussed. Dan did however succeed in pissing off his younger self slash brother.
"NO! YOU'RE AN UNNATURAL MIX BETWEEN TWO HALF-GHOSTS!"
Silence.
"Phantom, Wraith" Canary called out trying to snap the two out of their verbal duel.
Dan snarled a bit and glared.
Danny's face slackened in regret. "I'm sorr-"
"Don't. I don't want to hear it right now."
"Wraith, I want you to go have a session with Black Canary in a few minutes."
"*Snort* Sending me away like a child? I don't even know why I bother with all this shit. I used to rule the entire world." Wraith snarled and a few Leaguers that weren't veterans, let some surprise or type of expression come to their face, unlike the stone-faced looks the older Leaguers were displaying.
"Your obsession. That's why," Batman answered simply and had to hide a smirk at the frozen stare Wraith gave him. Finally the ghost simply vanished from view. Danny flinched slightly and looked around before vanishing as well, no doubt to tail his older brother. Bruce was confident Phantom would help get Wraith to Canary whenever she was up for it. He looked at Dinah. "Are you okay with that, Dinah?"
Dinah nodded. "Anything I should know?"
"He'll tell you. That is one thing that's helpful about talking to him. He can be utterly shameless."
"I figured. I'll go see what I can do." She turned to Oliver. "Will you update me on whatever exciting debate you all have about Wraith? This is getting somewhat interesting."
"You bet," Green Arrow gave a smirk before they pecked each other on the lips. Black Canary then walked out of the room.
"So then-" Guy Gardener started only for Batman to interrupt him.
"I'd imagine the best thing to do is to suspend him for now and reconsider adding him back to the roster again if he should prove more stable," Batman offered.
"He told us he's a psychopath. How is this okay?" Hawkman asked coldly.
"Technically speaking, ghosts who harbor obsessions all have psychopathic tendencies when comparing them to human standards. You think we should lock up Phantom or Phantasma too?" Batman asked, giving a glare in return. The two had a brief staring contest before Superman coughed.
"I think any further judgements aside from possibly suspending him from the League should wait until after Canary can have a few sessions with him," Superman offered.
"Agreed. Though he is violent when provoked and should not have done many things in the past, he has walked among us and has not once tried to attack us," Wonder Woman spoke.
"So are we asking to have him suspended?" Manhunter put forth next. "All in favor?"
"Here." Everyone called out at different times and with different levels of hesitancy.
zz
Danny looked at himself in the long mirror as fabric rustled behind him. Dan was busy dressing back into his human-half's clothes and Danny was looking at the splint still attached to his leg.
"I never said thanks."
"Mm."
"Thanks."
"Tch, you're an idiot."
Danny smiled against his will. "It'll be okay."
"Yeah, sure."
Danny turned and floated over to Dan as the man finished zipping his black jacket. He placed a hand on Dan's shoulder and blue eyes locked with green.
zz
They stared at each other for a long time. Canary sat with her chin resting on her clasped hands and Wraith sat in his human form leaning back and wearing some large dark aviator sunglasses
Wraith was the one to break the silence. "I guess the best way to go about talking to you is to give you a full rundown of how I came to be. I don't know how much Bruce has told you."
"Just the basics really. We understood it was very personal, for you and Phantom both."
"Pfft. That's an understatement."
"Is it true you align more with Phantom than… Plasmius, was it?"
"…Yes."
"So then-"
"I consider myself to have died when I was fourteen. I don't have any memories of Vlad's life. I simply used his core as an extra energy source and something of a second anchor. I may or may not have picked up a few of his personality traits along with the physical traits from our fusion."
"Alright. So do you want to start at the beginning or do you want to talk about your experience with how ghost obsessions work?"
Wraith groaned slightly in his throat before he stood and faced away from her with his arms crossed elegantly behind his back. Canary couldn't help but wonder if that was some of Plasmius showing through. That subject of dual origin was one of the more important things she had to address with him.
"Damn, this sounds so cliche, but you honestly can't understand unless you know the beginning… unless you learn nearly everything."
"That's alright."
"You ready to hear my and Phantom's life story? I'll tell ya, it's like a damn soap opera."
So this one is a little more serious than the two that came before and it introduces a bunch of other characters. The next one will be funny again. Any particular things anyone would like to see Dan, Danny, and Danielle do together in the DC world?