Ch. 10
CLICK-CLACK. CLICK- CLACK. CLICK-CLACK. CLICK-
The click-clacking of Jazz's flats echoed throughout the empty warehouse as she paced back and forth. Doubt, worry, and concern consumed her thoughts as she attempted to wait patiently for her brother.
'What if he got captured? What if these strange people turned on him? What is the GIW got to ALL of them?!'
Jazz stopped dead in her pace, her face draining of color for but a quick second before she shook the doubtful thoughts away. 'You can't think like that Jazz! My little brother is fine, he's been doing this for almost three years now, he can take care of himself.' She couldn't but sigh at herself, 'I'm such a spazz...'
CREAK! CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-!
Her thoughts were stopped abruptly when the sound of gears grinding split the silent air.
A relieved smile grew on Jazz's face as she jogged over to welcome the young heroes back.
The first one done was what Jazz could only infer was the leader of Danny's new team. Black suit, blue bird insignia, donning a black domino mask, and his posture practically screaming to listen to him or else.
The male smiled lightly at her and asked, "Jazz, right?"
Jazz blinked, "Um, yeah? I'm Danny's older sister, and you are?"
He gave her an apologetic smile, "I think it'd be better if my team and I introduced ourselves when we're all present if you wouldn't mind. I know we might not seem trustworthy, but I can assure you that we're only here to help."
Jazz could only sigh in defeat, "If Danny and Danielle trust you, then I'll trust you."
As the rest of the Team made their way down, with Danny coming down last, Jazz made sure that the retractable stairs went back into place and locked them using the padlock on the wall next to them.
As everyone made their way back to the living room, Jazz lingered towards the back of the group, much to the confusion of the half-ghost teen.
However, before he could ponder it any longer Nightwing cleared his throat and gathered everyone around the room.
"Tonight, we've toured and observed the city of Amity Park in order to have a better understanding of the area. Unfortunately, we also had to witness the prejudice and fear towards Phantom and the other ghosts around here..."
The entire Team had mixed feelings about the incident that had occurred no less than an hour ago. Zatanna had crossed her arms, her eyebrow twitching in irritation, Beast Boy turned his attention to his hands, Miss M's expression turned solemn, Artemis leaned against the couch, arms crossed with her back turned, and Phantom himself shifted uncomfortably at the tension in the room.
Nightwing sighed as he watched his Team's reactions. He should've seen this coming... Phantom had warned them about the people of this city, about their prejudice, their acts out-of-fear, and their desperation for ordinary lives... but they hadn't realized the severity of it until today.
*Flashback*
Another terrified scream pierced the air around them and was becoming louder by the minute as they ran.
'We're almost there!' Miss Martain exclaimed over the Mind Link.
'Kid, go and get them to safety. Robin, Miss Martian, and Artemis disappear and surround the attackers. The rest of us will approach head on!'
Everyone (save for Phantom) nodded their heads in agreement with Nightwing and quickly followed his commands. Robin and Artemis took to the rooftops, Miss Martian pulled her hood over her head while going into Camouflage mode, and Kid sped away with lightning trailing behind him while the rest of the Team continued to sprint down the street.
Kid Flash sped around the corner of the block, using the sound of the terrified screams as his guide. He found the source coming from an old dark alley between two shops with poorly lit signs. 'Figures, robbers are so cliqued!'
The speedster zoomed into the alleyway and stopped briefly to observe the scene.
A dim light of the apartment building illuminated the alleyway. On the other side of the alleyway, was a boarded up (abandoned he concluded) department store. Closest to the department store was a burly man of six foot three. Black clothing, black mask, and a black gun- 'typical robber'. Speaking of the gun, it was currently pointed at Phantom, who seemed to be protecting someone behind him.
KF couldn't get a good look at the person, but before he could even try to, the robber started firing at the ghost teen. His teammate managed to throw up a shield just in time to take the barrage of attack.
The speedster dashed towards the man and swiped the gun out of his hands. To say the man was shocked would be an understatement, he was downright dumbfounded. However, before the man could snap out of his stupor, an arrow with a boxer glove knocked the man unconscious.
Kid Flash sighed in disappointment as he walked over to the arriving Team.
"I thought that might've been a bit more exciting, turns out it was just another crook," Kid complained over the Mind Link.
The response, however, was a bit shocking.
"I would really appreciate it if you would shut up."
The Team looked at Phantom, who in turn was giving KF a menacing glare.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What did I do?!"
Phantom turned back to what KF could now see was the small figure holding the back of his cloak.
"It's alright, you're safe now. We won't let anyone hurt you okay?"
At first the Team was confused as to why Phantom was talking like that, however as soon as the figure peeked their head up to look at him, they couldn't help but gasp.
It was a little girl, probably no more than eight years old, that stood behind Danny, clinging to him like a lifeline. But what really through them through a loop, was the fact that she was GLOWING. It was a ghost girl.
She looked up at Phantom and mumbled something, to which the teen only smiled encouragingly.
The little girl still kept a hand clinging to Phantom's cloak, but she stepped out from behind him in order to the Team better.
She had light gray skin, red eyes, and medium-length straight green hair. She also wore a red and white flower-print dress, white shoes, and a red flower pinned in her hair.
The girl looked the Team over with an adorable, curious, wide-eyed look.
"She's so cccuuttteee!" Miss Martain squealed quietly.
Beast Boy's face lit up with a huge smile and he proceeded to jump right in front of the little girl. "My name's Gar! What's your name!"
Unfortunately, the little girl squeaked in fright at the sudden movement, and she quickly hugged Phantom's waist, burying her face into his cloak as an attempt to hide from the strange being.
Phantom gave Gar a look of exasperation before turning his attention to the girl. "Hey..." The girl looked up at him with tears staining her small cheeks. "I need to get you home alright? But in order to do so, I need you to help me out."
The little girl let go of his cloak and wiped the tears off her face. "O-okay."
The Halfa smiled at her, "Do you know where you live?"
She nodded her head respectfully, "Y-yes, sir."
"Good. If I get you into the Ghost Zone, would you know how to find your way home?"
"Yes, Sir Phantom."
Said person flinched at the title, but quickly recovered himself. "Alright then. Can you fly?"
"No, sir."
"Would you mind if one of my friends or I carry you?"
"I don't mind, sir."
Phantom looked up at his teammates and gave them a nod. "Follow me. We have to go to FentonWorks in order to access a portal."
He allowed the little girl to get on his back in order to give her a piggy-back ride before taking off, the Team following close-by.
"So does anyone want to talk about the fact that the robber was trying to hurt a little girl?!" Robin exclaimed over the Mind Link.
The other members also had mixed feelings about the whole ordeal.
"It is very concerning that he would've killed the girl if he had the chance. However, what troubles me the most is the reasoning behind it."
"You think you may know why the man would've killed that little girl, Aqualad?" Superboy asked.
"I do, however, I truly hope I am wrong."
"Why do you say that?" Beast Boy inquired.
"Do you remember how humans, even aliens, have discriminated against their own kind before? I believe it was called the Civil Rights Movement in America?"
"Yeah, so?"
"I believe that is the same situation we've just experienced. Only this time instead of white against color, it's human against ghosts."
"Though I hate even the THOUGHT of discrimination, I can see where you might get that," Artemis commented.
"That's exactly what it is..." Everyone went silent as Phantom's tired voice came over the Mind Link. "Those who are alive in this dimension see ghosts as malevolent, violent, aggressive, and can only cause pain, suffering, and destruction. They label ghosts as though they're subhuman, animals even. But we are no different than those who are alive."
The Team remained dead silent as they processed what Phantom just told them. However, before anyone could ask any questions or even comment, they arrived at FentonWorks.
*Flashback End*
"Guys, drop it."
The Team turned around to see Danny in his human form. His eyes were dull blue but focused, his entire posture was slouching, and the circles under his eyes clearly showed how exhausted he was.
"Bu-"
"Stop," Danny said, interrupting Beast Boy. He straightened his posture and spoke louder. "Just don't. I told you- no- warned all of you that this was going to happen, whether you liked it or not. The people here will show me nor any ghost, no mercy. They believe they've lived under the shadows of ghosts all their life, which is why they are so hostile and fearful of us now. They want ordinary lives and they'll do a lot of things just to get their way. That's why- I've decided to let Nightwing take over for the time being."
"WHAT?!"
More than half the Team stood up from their places around the living room, instantly getting riled up and demanding answers.
"HEY!"
The Team settled down, some more slowly than others, and turned their attention to the forgotten Jazz.
"I may not know all of you very well, but what I do know is my brother. And when my brother has made a decision he usually has a decent reason for it. Especially when it's something like this... just listen."
The Team remained silent, some begrudgingly, others curiously, and brought their attention back to Danny.
"Thanks, Jazz... Now, the reason I've decided this is due to what you witnessed earlier. The people here are terrified and hostile towards ghosts. Young or old, good or not- they don't care. This also means it's going to be a lot harder to investigate with me around. So this is how it's going to work, you guys will investigate during the day. Ask around and see what information you can get out of the citizens. If a ghost just so happens to start causing trouble, I'll be on standby. Of course, this means I may have to fight the ghost completely invisible or lure them away, but it won't cause any unnecessary risks nor would it damage the city too badly. As for me, I'll be traveling in and out of the Ghost Zone to investigate there."
Nightwing, Aqualad, Superboy, Kid Flash, Artemis and Robin all nodded their heads in agreement. Beast Boy, Impulse, and Miss Martian clearly showed their discomfort but agreed to it anyway. Zatanna was the only one to question it, "But what if we need to take care of the ghost immediately and you won't be able to arrive as quickly? We'll need an immediate response."
Danny sighed and brushed a hand through his messy hair. "As much as I hate to do it, or even say it, but Fentonworks will be on standby as well-"
"WHAT?!"
"The Fenton's have ghost tech which will obviously help if there's a fight. They live closer to where most ghost attacks will be, as well as they'll be able to respond faster than I would, especially if I would happen to be in the Ghost Zone if you called."
As much as the Team hated to admit it, Danny was right. There was no way he could make it back in time if they called him for an emergency while he was in the Ghost Zone. Great... now they have to deal with his parents.
"So... who's going to explain this to the Fentons?" Kid Flash asked.
Nightwing raised his hand, "I will. It's obvious that they aren't exactly thrilled that Phantom is back, but when I talked to them I was able to keep them from doing anything too rash. I should be able to convince them to help us out if there is ever an emergency. However-" He turned to face Danny. "-are you sure about this? This is your personal mission after all."
Danny nodded his head. "While this may be my mission, it's your team. I want you to lead, at least for the time being, since I'm going to be in the Ghost Zone for a bit."
Nightwing sighed and put a hand on the younger teen's shoulder, "Fine. I'll lead the Team for now, but once you're done, you're back to leading got it?"
Danny smiled, "Sure thing, Dick."
A loud gasp was heard throughout the room. "Daniel James Fenton!"
Danny blinked at his older sister in confusion, then realization dawned on him. "What? No, Jazz! That's Nightwing's real name! I wasn't calling him a- UGH, just nevermind..."
The younger members were snickering behind their hands, some of the older members just couldn't help but crack a smile at the siblings, and the rest just flat out laughed.
"Thanks, guys, really supportive of you," Danny sarcastically commented while rolling his eyes.
The Team only became more amused.
Jazz couldn't help but smile at the scene in front of her. Danny had finally found a place he belonged... a true family.
Elsewhere...
"How long until we have the boy? I grow weary of waiting."
A large glowing figure with black armor stood impatiently, glaring out of the window with his one solid green eye.
"Patience, Pariah-" A baritone voice answered back from within the room's shadows. "-we'll have our revenge soon. The plan has already made it to the final stages."
Red eyes glowed brightly from within the pitch black darkness, "His death is now only inevitable..."