Chapter 32: The Hearing
Danny was having another day at college when Paulina approached him. "My ghost boy, how about we start a study group?" She suggested with a tone that made quite clear which kind of study Casper High's former head cheerleader intended to.
"How many other students will join us?" Danny asked, hoping she meant to study for real.
"Actually, it'll be just the two of us." Paulina answered. "Won't it be romantic?"
"No, because I already have a girlfriend and she's waiting for me in Gotham." Danny replied with a frown.
"Danny Darling, I'm a better cheerleader than that Gordon girl could ever be." Paulina recklessly said, enraging Danny.
"How! Dare! You?" Danny was so furious Paulina was afraid of speaking again. "It's one thing to resent Barbara for being the girl I'm dating but to make light of her condition like that…"
"That's not what I meant!" Paulina quickly said upon remembering what happened to Barbara.
"But that's how I understood it, Sanchez." Danny replied with a bigger frown than before. "If you know what's good for you, you won't talk to me for a long while." He then went ghost and flew away.
The incident was witnessed by students who commented on how insensitive Paulina was. Her popularity just took a nosedive.
In Gotham, Barbara was glad to receive a visit from her boyfriend. "Listen up, Danny." Commissioner Gordon said. "You and my daughter might have your dinner date after the Joker's hearing but I'm driving her to and from the restaurant. Am I clear?"
"Y-yes, Sir." Danny answered. 'I wonder if he and Phanty's Dad exchanged parenting tips.'
At the hearing, Danny felt nauseous upon hearing the Clown Prince of Crime say how each pie he threw was just an act and agreed that he's a clever criminal who deserved prison. He didn't know what to feel once the Joker was declared sane.
As Danny was walking out of the courthouse, he was approached by one of his former dates. "Starfire?"
"Friend Danny, it's so good to see you again!" She said and hugged him so strongly he believed his ghost powers to be the only reason she didn't crush him to death.
"I'm glad the madness is over." Danny commented.
"I wouldn't be the sure, Danny." Starfire replied with a solemn expression. "Nightwing stated that the Joker's lawyer was pulling some strings to make sure he would be in the same cell as a criminal named Simon Skye."
"Who?" Danny asked in confusion.
"A criminal who was arrested several years ago." Starfire answered. "Nightwing said he also used to host a TV show for kids before being revealed to be a criminal."
"We'll handle this, Danny." Batman said from behind the halfa. "Go enjoy your date with Barbara Gordon."
"Yes, Sir." Danny replied. He then flew to a restaurant and asked if Barbara already arrived.
"Not yet, Sir." The maître answered upon checking his reservation.
They then heard a car approaching and Danny recognized it as Commissioner Gordon's. he went outside to help Barbara. "May I?" He politely asked.
"Sure thing, Danny." Barbara answered.
"Whatever." Commissioner Gordon grunted. "I'll be back in one hour."
During the dinner, Danny decided to entertain his date with another joke. "Why is it impossible to send a letter to Washington nowadays?" He asked.
"Because e-mail made letters obsolete?" Barbara guessed.
"No." Danny said.
"Then I don't know." Barbara said.
"Because he's already dead." Danny told her.
"Hehehehehe." Barbara giggled. "That's good."
"For the record, that joke's so old I got it from a joke book that predates the internet making letters obsolete, Barbara." Danny explained.
Barbara laughed until she noticed her boyfriend's expression. "Wait, wasn't that another joke?" She asked.
"Nope." Danny answered.
"Here's another joke." Barbara said. "Why did Napoleon lose the Battle of Waterloo?"
"I don't know, Barbara." Danny answered.
"Because, whenever he spoke of Waterloo to his soldiers, they thought he meant the bathroom." Barbara said and Danny laughed.
"Good one but you should've saved that one for a time and place without people trying to eat." Danny commented and she nodded.
After the dessert, Danny and Barbara left the restaurant and waited for the Commissioner to show up. It wasn't a long wait. "Couldn't you have waited inside the restaurant, Barbara?" The Commissioner asked with a frown.
"Sorry, Dad." Barbara replied.
"I'm not sure you're the one who needs to apologize." Commissioner Gordon stated.
"Dad, leave Danny alone." Barbara told her father.
"Uh, is it alright if I go check up with Batman is he still needs my help?" Danny asked, wanting to leave that awkward moment.
"Yes!" The Commissioner eagerly answered.
Danny flew away. On his way to the Batcave, he noticed a car chase and decided to intervene but, before he had a chance to do so, the runaway car was stopped by "A green elephant?" Danny asked in confusion. To Danny's surprise, the elephant turned himself into a green boy he quickly recognized from the brief web search he did on Starfire after his first date with the alien princess. "Beast Boy? Well, if Starfire came here, I shouldn't be surprised that other Teen Titans would come."
He then resumed his journey back to the Batcave only to find out Alfred Pennyworth was the only one there to welcome him. "Master Daniel, Master Bruce told me to expect you here." Alfred stated.
'If not for the fact I know the billionaire he works for is Batman, I'd be concerned about being called "Daniel" instead of "Danny".' Danny thought.
"Master Bruce also instructed me to inform you that he appreciates your contribution to the Joker watch but you may go home now, Master Daniel." Alfred added.
"In that case, Alfred, please tell him I said goodbye." Danny said and flew away.
'Teenagers.' Alfred thought.
After returning home, Danny told his parents about his day in Gotham and about the incident at college. "Paulina said what?" Jack was enraged and Maddie felt the same. "She's almost as bad as Vicky and Cree!"
"True." Danny and Maddie said. As much as the three of them hated Paulina's disrespect for wheelchair-bound people, they hated Vicky and Cree even more.
After that comment, Danny started a group chat with Jazz, Tucker and Sam. "So, how was guarding a criminal, Danny?" Tucker asked.
"Actually, I mostly just watched the hearing." Danny said. "Then I had dinner with Barbara."
"Spare me the details, Danny." Sam demanded.
"You'll feel different once you find yourself a boyfriend, Sam." Tucker commented.
"Speaking of boyfriends, how're things with your golden boy, Jazz?" Danny teasingly asked his sister.
"Antonio and I went fishing this afternoon, little brother." Jazz answered, not wanting to suggest her brother got under her skin with his question.
"Golden boy?" Tucker asked Sam. "Are we missing something?"
"Probably not." Sam shrugged.
"How's your popularity in your college, Danny?" Tucker asked. "Has Paulina tried anything after the last time we talked?"
"Don't talk about her in my presence ever again, Tucker?" Danny said with much anger.
"Wow, I never thought I'd see anyone hating her more than I ever did." Sam commented. "What did she do?"
Danny then told them how Paulina said she's a better cheerleader than Barbara could ever be. "And I thinking she couldn't be any shallower." Sam commented.
"I know, right?" Tucker added and then had an idea to change subjects. "So, what did you and Barbara eat? Something very meaty, I hope."
The change of subject was so welcome Sam didn't mind listening to Danny's date. "Danny, would you please call Mom and Dad?" Jazz asked. "I miss them as well."
On the next morning, Danny and his parents were having breakfast when they watched terrible news. "Recently declared sane criminal Jack Napier, a.k.a. the Joker, has escaped from Blackgate Prison." Lance Thunder said.
"What?" The three Fentons asked.
"According to witnesses, the Joker had recognized his cellmate Simon Skye as a former TV show host known as the Pie-Man and claimed to have been Skye's fan ever since he was a "little clown". Upon getting an autograph from Skye, the Joker hit him with his Joker venom and later blew up a wall to escape his cell. The ensuing riot allowed the Clown Prince of Crime to escape along with several other inmates. So far he's the only one who hasn't been recaptured yet."
"Danny, you have college and there are other heroes in Gotham to stop the Joker." Maddie said out of fear Danny would risk himself.
"Okay, Mom." Danny sadly sighed.
"Son, why're you so sad?" Jack asked.
"Twice I underestimated the Joker and twice he bested me." Danny said. "He scares me and I fight ghosts."
"Each superhero has their strongest points, son." Jack said. "Just go to college, ignore that Paulina girl, and do your best."
"Thanks, Dad." Danny replied.
As Danny flew towards campus, he noticed an out of control car and decided to stop it. "Thank you, Danny Phantom." The people at the car said.
"You're welcome." Danny replied and resumed his flight. Upon arrived, he saw some jocks in the corridor. 'Uh-oh.' Danny thought. 'I should… wait a minute. I'm popular now. They won't bully me like Dash's gang used to.' "Uh, excuse me?"
The jocks made way for him to walk. "Thank you." Danny said. 'They probably wouldn't be this friendly or even civil if not for my fame. Perhaps some of them would like to be real friends with me but, after Casper High, I'm afraid.'
During lunch break, Danny sat with his college buddies. Actually, his dorm mate and said dorm mate's friends. Between studies and occasional League missions, Danny didn't have much, if any time, to make friends of his own. And it wasn't easy to befriend them since they were initially intimidated by his popularity and he couldn't blame them.
The university's TV announced the Joker's recapture. "Phew." Danny commented. "I'm glad the Teen Titans stopped him but I'm surprised Batman didn't show up."
"Batman is seldom seen during the day, Danny." Danny's roommate said. "Probably a secret identity issue like those you probably used to have."
"True that, Randy." Danny replied.
"Study session this afternoon?" Another student asked.
"One hour after classes are over, please." Danny replied. "I have homework to do."
"Of course." They said, still surprised he won't have them do it for him like the A-Listers from his former High School used to do with their nerds.
End chapter
Author's Note: Simon Skye is a character from The Batman Strikes! comic book story "Sanity Plea".
Author's Note 2: Randy was named after Randall Boggs from "Monsters, Inc." and inspired by his desire to make friends in "Monsters University".
Answer to Leonardo (Guest): Isso ainda não foi decidido.