Author's Note: This chapter has parts taken from a snippet in Chapter 54 of the original fic. They're in bold to distinguish from the rest. This time, the note comes before to prevent confusion.
Chapter 10: Another Date with Crime Fighting
It was Friday and all students of Casper High were reunited to hear an announcement from Principal Ishiyama. "Students, after the Gotham City Police Department reported Mr. Lancer for waging on the outcome of the match our football team played in Gotham City, the Board of Education revoked his teaching license and, because of that, he's no longer a teacher. His substitute, Mr. Stone, is now a regular teacher permanently holding Mr. Lancer's former teaching position and Mr. Falluca is now Casper High's new Vice Principal." There were some polite applauses. "That's all, students. You're dismissed."
"Yeah!" Tucker exclaimed. "No more Dash! No more Kwan! And now, no more Lancer! Can this get any better?" His cell phone then rang. "Hello, Velma." "Hockey game this weekend? Sure. When?" "It's a date! Goodbye."
"Hockey?" Danny and Sam asked in surprise.
"Yeah, Velma happens to be a huge fan of it." Tucker commented. "Go figure."
"Tucker, you'll not pretend to like hockey just to impress her, will you?" Sam asked with a frown.
"A bunch of violent jocks hurting one another instead of me?" Tucker asked in joy. "What's not to like about it?"
"Point taken, Tucker." Danny replied and chuckled at the idea. "So, what about you, Sam? Any plans for this weekend?"
"Nope." Sam frowned again. "I'm the only one dateless within our team."
After that awkward moment, they entered a classroom.
A few days later, Danny was at a bus station in Gotham. They agreed to meet at Vitello's and he was about to leave the station when he noticed a Metropolis scene on TV. "Well, it seems even Superman and Supergirl aren't enough to save us this time." Angela Chen commented but then noticed something on the screen. "Wait. This just in. Gotham heroes Batman and Robin showed up to help. Really? Batman and Robin? Couldn't the Justice League send powerful members like Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Black Lightning or his expy Black Vulcan?"
Danny frowned at Angela's attitude. Sure, there were times he tended to wonder how powerless heroes like Batman managed to fight alongside powerhouses like Superman or Wonder Woman but, after everything Batman did, even before saving Danny from the Joker was added to the list, she should have more respect for the Dark Knight's skills. After going to a hidden spot, Danny went ghost and started flying towards Vitello's only to be distracted by a sight of Batgirl fighting some thugs who robbed a jewelry store. Being too stupid to remember Barbara's reputation as one of the most skilled vigilantes in Gotham, one of the thugs threatened to hurt Batgirl. In turn, she threatened to send them to jail in castes. She's doing such a good work Danny only intervened when a bullet was getting dangerously close. Danny quickly reacted by creating a green shield to protect her. Batgirl smirked as she figured out he's behind the shield. The two heroes exchanged heys as Danny revealed himself.
"Get lost, you freak!...'The head thug shouted. He and his men tried to shoot Danny and Batgirl but Danny used his intangibility on himself and Batgirl to make the bullets harmlessly cross them.
"Didn't your mothers tell you that's it's wrong to steal or be rude to a lady…'Danny asked. Fortunately, he managed to maintain his intangibility long enough for the robbers to waste their ammo.
"Man that stuff makes me feel funny…"Batgirl commented and readied herself to beat up the robbers.
Five minutes later, the thugs were beaten up and the police round them up. Our heroes then went to a high roof top where Barbara took off her batsuit and Danny changed back to human form.
"Thanks for the help, even though I could have handled those clowns…"Barbara said.
'I know but I don't like being on the sidelines when some creeps try to hurt you, even if I know you can kick their butts…call me sappy if you want but I want to help you in any way I can…"
Barbara kissed him. "Well, I guess I can't get too mad since you were just being a helpful boyfriend… So, are we still up for Vitello's?...'
"You know it…"
At Vitello's, Danny was entertaining Barbara with another joke. "Knock knock."
"Who's there?" She asked her boyfriend.
"The doorbell repairman." Danny answered and she laughed.
"Barbara?" They heard somebody ask and Barbara recognized the voice. "Chip?"
"Nice to see you here." Chip replied. "Dad bought a new store for his chain and brought me here to celebrate."
"Chain?" Danny asked in confusion.
"Danny, Chip's Dad is Max Shreck, owner of Shreck's Store Chain." Barbara explained.
"Owner and founder, Miss Gordon." Max corrected her and then noticed Danny. "We're sorry for interfering with your plans, Mr., uh…"
"Fenton. Danny Fenton." Danny introduced himself.
"I'm Max Shreck and this is my son Chip. Nice to meet you but our table became vacant." Max said. "Goodbye."
"Bye." Danny replied and mentally wondered if Max was named after the deceased German actor of the same name. He and Barbara finished their lunch and were about to order a dessert when they heard a beep from his cell phone. Tucker sent him a message and an attached picture. "It seems Tucker, his girlfriend and her friends caught a so-called ghost that was haunting a hockey stadium." Danny commented as he showed Barbara the picture.
"What?" Barbara was shocked. "Tucker's dating a Mystery Incorporated member?"
"You've heard of them?" Now it was Danny's turn to be surprised.
"Some of the mysteries they've solved were deemed newsworthy, Danny." Barbara explained. "They've even crossed paths with some Leaguers on occasion. Even Batman."
"Mustn't have been a particularly newsworthy occasion otherwise Tucker would've remembered and told me." Danny commented. "Batman is his favorite Leaguer."
"Wouldn't we order dessert?" Barbara asked. Each teen ordered a slice of pie.
"So, what do we do now?" Danny asked after asking for the check.
"I know a place where we can play arcade games." She suggested.
As they entered a shopping center and were on their way to the game place when they noticed a TV showing news about Wayne Enterprises. "That's Lucius Fox!" Barbara said.
"Who?" Danny asked.
"He manages the day-to-day operations of Wayne Enterprises, Danny." Barbara explained.
"Mr. Fox, do you really think it's wise to buy and reopen Joker's Wild Casino?" Summer Gleeson asked.
"We're not reopening Joker's Wild Casino, Ms. Gleeson." Lucius answered. "We're going for the Camelot theme Cameron Kaiser would use had he not decided to provoke the Joker into destroying it."
"Did someone really name a casino after the Joker?" Danny was amazed.
"As Mr. Fox stated, Cameron Kaiser's original idea was to build a Camelot-themed casino." Barbara explained. "Unfortunately, the project ended up costing more than he expected or could afford so he decided to trick the Joker into destroying it. He even bribed an Arkham guard into setting the inmates' TV on the channel that was showing the casino's opening so the Joker would see it and the same guard later made it easier for the lunatic to escape. With all the lives that were endangered because of that, I'm actually surprised somebody, no matter who, would reopen the place even if with another name."
"That's horrible." Danny commented in disgust. "And it's a boy from a haunted town saying it."
"And Dad says the plan wouldn't have worked even if nobody had proven Kaiser guilty of any crimes." Barbara replied.
"Why not?" Danny asked. He was really curious at this point.
"Because of the sudden change to the casino's name and theme, the insurance company could've held this as a misrepresentation of the insured property and invalidated any claims Kaiser had over the matter." Barbara explained.
"People with overly complicated plans always forget about important details, it seems." Danny commented and Barbara nodded. They then resumed their original plans.
They first entered a racing game. Barbara won the first race. "Best two out of three?" Danny asked and she accepted. Danny won the second race but lost the third one. "Good game." Danny commented. "How about a game of air hockey?"
Barbara won 7 – 6. "How about a little snack?" She suggested.
"Yak in the Box?" Danny asked in reply.
"We've done that before. I'm thinking about another place." She answered.
"Bueno Nacho?" Danny asked.
"No way." Barbara answered with a disgusted expression.
"Is their food that terrible?" Danny asked. "I'm asking because I've never tasted it before."
"Lucky boy." She muttered. "Actually, I'm in the mood for a pizza."
"Now you're talking." He happily replied. As they were going to their newest destination, a mugger suddenly showed up and tried to steal Barbara's purse but she quickly kicked him and every bystander applauded her. Danny was happy until one of those bystanders commented "It's a good thing she can fight. I don't think that boyfriend of hers would've been of any help."
They then went to a pizzeria to enjoy their meal. "What's wrong, Danny?" Barbara asked. "Any problem with your pizza?"
"No, it's what they said about me back then." Danny commented.
"I thought you had no problem with a girl being a good fighter." Barbara said.
"My problem is me not being good without superpowers, Barbara." Danny explained.
"Why not?" She asked in reply. "Your mother fights karate. Didn't she ever teach you?"
"She stopped when I was punished for fighting a bully." Danny explained. "My parents didn't listen to me."
"I could teach you, Danny." She suggested. "We could go home so I could give you some basic lessons."
"What about your Dad?" Danny asked in worry.
"He's at work." She explained.
"On a weekend?"
"Crime never rests." Barbara commented. "Especially in Gotham."
"Okay." Danny replied.
After the pizza, they went to her home. On the way, they were interrupted by some thugs. "You're the Commissioner's daughter!" One of them exclaimed. "Your Dad got my brother in jail and you'll pay for it."
"No, she won't." A new voice declared.
"Robin?" Barbara and the thugs asked upon seeing the voice's owner.
"Weren't you smaller?" Danny asked.
"That's the original Boy Wonder, Danny." Barbara explained. "We're not used to seeing him here ever since he moved to Jump City and assembled the Teen Titans."
"I came back to help while Batman and New Robin are in Metropolis and I've brought a friend." The original Robin said while motioning to Starfire.
"Hello, date-blind Danny." Starfire happily greeted her chosen boy. "What a coincidence! Is that the date-blind you chose over me?"
"Yes." Danny awkwardly answered.
"Really?" Another thug asked. "What do those beauties see on him?"
'Good question.' Robin thought while mentally frowning. 'First Starfire and now Barbara? What does he have that I don't?' "Will you surrender now?" He asked the thugs.
Given how Starfire was there, only stupid people wouldn't surrender, meaning they didn't. Starfire caught two of them and flew upwards, making them understand. Robin and Barbara knocked down the other two. "Danny, you and your date-blind are safe now." Starfire said while understanding why Danny would like Barbara. "Feel free to resume your dating rituals."
"Ooookay." Barbara replied, not used to Starfire's way to speak English. She and Danny went to her home as initially planned.
When Robin and Starfire took the thugs to a precinct, they were approached by Commissioner Gordon. "Is my daughter okay?"
"Yes, Commissioner." Robin answered.
"What do we do now, Commish?" Bullock asked.
"I'll call Barbara to check with her and her boyfriend." Commissioner Gordon said and picked up his cell phone.
"Dad?"
"Barbara, where are you?" He asked.
"I'm home." She answered.
"And what about the Fenton boy?" He asked.
"Well, he's here as well." She answered with hesitation.
"You know how I feel about you bringing boys home when I'm not there but we have another problem." The Commissioner said. "I need you and/or Fenton, preferentially the both of you, to testify."
"We're on our way, Dad." Barbara reassured her father.
"No!" He exclaimed. "You stay there until I pick you up. And besides, we must clear things with his parents before collecting official testimony since he's a minor."
After that call ended, Commissioner Gordon and two officers went to his home, only to find Barbara standing over a fallen Danny. "What did he do to make you take him down?" He asked with a frown.
"We're just sparring, Sir." Danny explained with an exhausted tone.
"True, Dad." She added.
"Well, I supposed he finally faced enough of Gotham City to understand he needs the training to survive." The Commissioner commented.
End chapter.
Author's Note 2: The next chapter will show this day from Tucker's perspective.
Answer to Chester A Bum (Guest): Thanks. Actually, Dale didn't have Uncle Charlie's lawyer. I didn't even think about the chance of Danny and Barbara seeing Dash suffer until you brought it up.
Answer to Leonardo (Guest): De nada. O tio do Dash não contratou advogado pro Dale.