Chapter 29: Batgirl is Back?
"Bruce, what do you think about Dr. McCoy's reluctance to sell the formula?" Tim asked his guardian once they returned to the Batcave.
"I think he's afraid his creation can be turned into a weapon against mutants." Bruce answered as he kept doing his research on the mutant known as 'The Beast'.
"I thought he created it to undo his own mutation." Tim commented.
"He learned to accept his powers as part of him, Tim." Bruce explained. "To isolate the part about restoring a person's ability to walk, it requires making a different formula and that means not testing it on humans without a new permission from the FDA."
"But until then, what do we do about Barbara?" Tim asked.
"I have a plan." Batman simply stated.
Meanwhile, Danny was visiting Barbara. "Up to another movie, Barbara?" He asked her.
"I'll rent something." Commissioner Gordon said.
"Dad, movie theaters have seats for handicapped people." Barbara protested.
"Alright, but I'm driving you both and picking you later." Her father insisted. "I don't trust "Air Phantom" for your protection."
"Yes, Sir." Danny agreed not only because he was afraid of James Gordon but also because he didn't blame the Commissioner.
Once that's settled, they were taking a car ride. "So, which movie are you going to watch?" The Commissioner asked.
"Ernest Goes Back to Somewhere Cheap." Danny answered.
"A sequel?" The Commissioner asked. "Well, I don't have much hope for sequels but it's probably better than "Ernest Doesn't Go to the Beach". I can't believe somebody actually made a movie about a guy staying at home watching TV."
"I know, right?" Barbara replied.
Once they arrived, Danny and Barbara took one of the special lines and bought tickets. "Danny, will you buy popcorn as well?" Barbara asked. Once again, her wheelchair allowed them a quick service.
One movie session later, all viewers were happy. "Barbara, the movie caused so much laughter I barely heard Detective Bullock pigging out." Danny commented.
"Oh, you also noticed his presence?" Barbara asked. "I thought it was just me."
"What can I say?" The aforementioned Detective asked. "Ernest is so funny even that movie where he 'doesn't go to the beach' is somewhat enjoyable."
"So, are you saying Dad didn't have you come here to keep an eye on us?" Barbara was skeptical.
"Not this time, young lady." Bullock bluntly answered.
"It must be true." Barbara told her boyfriend. "He's usually not that quick when he's lying."
"Anyway, should I give you a ride home, Barbara?" Detective Bullock asked.
"No, we're waiting for Dad." Barbara answered.
"In that case, I'll keep an eye on you for your safety until your Dad arrives." The Detective stated.
"Thank you, Bullock, but it won't be necessary." The commissioner said as he arrived.
"I'll be at the donut shop if you change your mind, Commish." Detective Bullock replied.
After goodbyes were exchanged, Commissioner Gordon led Danny and Barbara back to his car. Reluctantly, The Commissioner allowed Danny to help Barbara into the car. "I'm driving my daughter home, Danny. Do you want a ride as well or…"?
The rest of the question was interrupted by police sirens. "I'm going after them, Sir." Danny replied and went ghost.
"Dad, can we?" Barbara tried to ask but her father cut her off with a quick "no" and she pouted.
Following the police cars, Danny saw a bank robbery being stopped by… Batgirl? As the bad guys were handed over to the police, 'Batgirl' used a grappling hook to leave the crime scene. Danny followed her to the top of a building where Robin II was waiting for her. "Did you think it worked?" She asked the Boy Wonder.
"It sure did!" Robin commented. "The real Batgirl's identity is safe."
"So, you won't replace her for good?" Danny asked as he revealed himself to the caped heroes.
"Danny?" The substitute Batgirl asked. "I mean, Danny Phantom?"
"It's okay." Robin said. "Danny Phantom knows the real Batgirl's identity." The three of them met at the Batcave to discuss more details.
"Thank you for your cooperation in protecting Batgirl's secret identity." Batman commented.
"You're welcome." The substitute Batgirl replied.
"So, are you from W.O.O.H.P.?" Danny asked.
"What? How?" The substitute Batgirl was shocked.
"You called me by first name so I figured out you must be some amazing redhead girl I met before, Samantha." Danny explained.
"I knew I wasn't the only one here to have worked with the Totally Spies." Batman stated.
"Totally Spies?" Danny asked.
"That's the group name my two main partners and I sometimes use, Danny." Samantha explained.
"Let me guess." Robin II said. "Samantha is one of the girls you dated."
"Wrong." Danny replied.
"He dated her friend Alex." Batman said.
"You told him?" Samantha frowned at Danny.
"No!" Danny quickly replied. "I didn't even know he knew."
"I investigated and it's okay since the Totally Spies learned my identity from the occasion when I helped them." Batman explained.
"Are the other W.O.O.H.P. girls pretty like you?" Tim asked.
'I have no problem picturing Tucker asking this question had he met Alex before having a girlfriend.' Danny thought. "Well, if I'm no longer needed, I'm leaving. Samantha, please tell Alex I said hi."
After Danny left, Barbara received another visitor. "Kara?"
"What're you doing in that wheelchair?" Supergirl asked. "I thought you were walking again."
"Batman got a substitute out of fear people wouldn't dismiss it as a coincidence that Batgirl's last public sighting was before I became like this." Barbara told the Girl of Steel. "Don't get used to her. She's already a non-League affiliated heroine."
"Let me guess." Supergirl said. "She's Kim Possible."
"Wrong." Danny replied.
"Is my substitute one of the other girls you met through the dating service?" Barbara asked.
"No, I never dated her." Danny answered.
"Good." Barbara commented. "One cliché avoided for once."
'I'd better not let her know her substitute is friends with one of the girls I dated.' Danny thought.
"Well, I'd love to stay longer but I must go home." Danny told his girlfriend. "Bye."
The next day, Team Phantom had a meeting. "So, how did Barbara regain her ability to walk?" Sam asked. "Wayne's implants or McCoy's serum?"
"Neither." Danny answered. "That was a substitute Batgirl to protect her secret identity."
"Was it Kim Possible?" Tucker eagerly asked. "Sure, her hair isn't the same shade of red but nothing a wig couldn't handle."
"No, it wasn't Kim." Danny answered in annoyance.
"That cheerleader may say she can do anything but I doubt wearing something so dark would be in that list." Sam commented.
"And probably wouldn't be her." Tucker said. "After the Prince Wally blunder, Batman probably wouldn't trust Kim Possible's sidekick not to blurt the secret on her website."
Danny, Sam and Jazz decided they didn't want to know who Tucker was talking about. "So, does Barbara need psychological help?" Jazz asked her brother.
"I don't think so, Jazz." Danny answered. His ghost sense then manifested itself. "Ghost sense."
"Any chances it's one of those ghost girls you met from the dating service?" Tucker hopefully asked.
"Any chances pigs fly?" Skulker asked as he revealed himself.
"What do you want now, Skulker?" Danny asked with a frown while going ghost.
"Your pelt as usual, whelp." Skulker answered.
"Wouldn't you rather get a real girlfriend?" Danny teasingly asked.
"I already have a girlfriend, whelp." Skulker protested.
"I still don't believe it." Danny replied.
"I don't care!" Skulker stated while shooting some missiles. While trying to see how much damage Danny received, Jazz sucked the hunter into a Fenton Thermos.
"Thank you, Jazz." Danny said.
"I'm glad your aim has improved." Sam commented.
"It couldn't be worse than before." Tucker added, earning a glare from the aspiring psychiatrist. "It's true and you know that."
Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne was in his private office at Wayne Enterprises watching the news. "This is Summer Gleeson speaking in front of William "King" Barlowe's mansion, where he was found dead this morning." Summer announced.
'No big loss.' Bruce thought, remembering the criminal Barlowe was when he was alive.
"Well, we've got shocking news about that!" Summer announced. "He left his fortune to his former rival, the Joker!"
Now Bruce Wayne was worried. 'There must be a catch.' The Caped Crusader thought.
End chapter.
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