Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or Danny Phantom. Only my version of Raven and how she fits in with the storyline.
Child's Play
Gotham City- Wayne Manor
August 21, 20:48 EDT
The soft, black fabric of her winged mask fell gently back onto Leila's bed. It was a late night last night again with patrolling and Red Arrows' affronts still clouding Leila's mind. Not to mention the gloomy funeral of the late Kent Nelson earlier tonight. The rain still poured and thunder roared outside but it seem to relax Leila from her stress. Robin's attempt of a greeting smile before heading out on patrol may have lifted her spirits, however, Red Arrow still perplexed Leila. It's been weeks and Batman has explained to the Team her 'background'. It was explained that her parents have been working for the League on scientific research in ghost hunting before dying in a lab accident. After that time, Leila was able the chance of training on combat, tessenjutsu and tai chi blocking as she aged. It wasn't the full truth but Leila was glad Batman was able to convince the Team of her background as a protégé. So what gave Red Arrow his suspicions of her? It has been weeks since the incident of the Shadows hunting Doctor Serling Roquette but no more intel seem to come.
Leila sighs as she glances down at her messy bed, covered with her new hero attire outfit and various weapons from her new utility belt. Robin and Batman had gone back out on patrol, doing their "Dynamic Duo" gig, one in which Leila excused herself for a night off. Leila could hear the communications down in the Batcave as Alfred monitors. She glances around the nearly bare, purple walls of her room. Only a large decal of a black tree with five ravens decorated her room, along with a bookcase overfilled with books. The "little birdie" has commented on her choice of decorations, however, Leila didn't want to become too attached. Vlad and the Shadows are still after her. Leila looks back down at her new costume, which is only slight in variation from her old one, just a new purple, metallic, ectoplasmic-repelling utility belt with a purple raven emblem across the outfit's chest like Batman's. Before it was a simple, one-piece black cat suit and utility belt, the only thing staying the same of her costume is her winged, raven-shaped mask.
Her new utility belt consisted of new weaponry as well. More equipped with her signature shuriken and several pair of throwing knives, gas and bomb pellets, tracers, bolas, taser, rebreathers and a grappling hook. The ectoplasmic-reflector system was in case of the Team dealing with ghosts but Leila eyed it wearily. It may protect her human-form from ghost attacks; however, one second of losing control of her powers and her traumatized experience of electrocution begins again. Not to mention the exposure of her powers. Batman seems confident enough in her but can Leila trust herself? Her powers?
She could hardly believe she would end up here- in the manor of Bruce Wayne as Batman's protégé. Alfred Pennyworth always greeted her with a smile, even after knowing what she was. Only Robin hasn't found out about her powers yet and Leila is hoping it'll stay that way. She assumes Bruce told Alfred in case of any medical care or a sudden ghost attack but allowing her the timing in which to tell Robin. She just couldn't predict his reaction in certainty. Her hopes are in favor of Robin accepting her powers but how could he? She's half-dead. A freak. Whereas, the Team would simply be appalled and reject her, Wally is already in denial of magic; ghosts won't be that much different in his denial belief system. There are scientific reasons and theories behind ghosts- thanks to her parents old research- but from what Leila could calculate, it's all based on a person's either obsession or belief in an afterlife for one to become a ghost. Leila's obsession was protecting others- hence the extreme heroism gig- but that same obsession was also a curse in surviving. She couldn't save her mom and that sole fact makes her torn between protecting others and wanting to be completely dead.
Leila raised her head as she heard a soft knock at the door,
"Uh...come in." She invited with uncertainty in her voice, still not use to Alfred's politeness, or anyone's politeness that is. The door quietly swung open to reveal Alfred holding a tray with a bowl of soup in his hands and a small smile on his face.
"Evening Mistress Leila. Rather wet tonight. Figured you'll like a bowl of soup to warm you up."
Leila didn't comment on how she's always cold now but instead gave a nod of appreciation.
"Thank you Alfred but I'm not hungry."
"I'll leave the tray here then. Soup is an endearing notion for those who wish to be alone but don't."
Leila could see the sincerity in Alfred's eyes as he gives a warm smile before leaving. She couldn't help but give a small smile in return to the kind butler before turning to stare at her tree of ravens. Each one representing the members of her old and new family. Most people would shy away from the beautiful birds but Leila knows better. When she was younger, she would be memorize at seeing the large black birds, and it was her father that always encouraged her to see things more than what they are. "Ravens are beautiful creatures Leila." Leila's father told her once after her first shrinking away from an unkindness of ravens' years ago, "You know Leila, ravens are not just a symbol of bad omens. Everyone believes so but really ravens can be one of freedom, messengers of divine knowledge and the power of thought."
Leila always perked up at seeing a raven from than on, usually pointing and calling out to her father when she spotted one. When her father died in military combat soon after, Leila always tried to talk to a raven in hopes of it being a message of comfort from him.
Lost in thought and memory, Leila held her raven pendant close to her chest. It was a gift from her mother in remembrance of her father. Now it is one in remembrance of both her parents. Leila didn't notice how long the silence was held around her until the sucking in of her breathe- a wisp of her ghost sense escaping- and the echoing of a girls' laughter.
"Come play with meeee. Hahaha...come play with me please."
The voice was that of a little girl, somewhere in the mansion and pleading, and Leila's thoughts churned at remembering the only other person in the house
Alfred.
In dread-panic but determination, Leila transform into her ghost-half. A ring of lime green energy burst from her core and split into two around her midsection, in which to travel from her middle to the distant ends of her being. Leila's black, skinny jeans and form-fitting, purple tee soon disappeared, morphing into a one-piece jumpsuit of contrasting black and white. Her jet-black hair turns snowy white and her eyes glow a purple hue.
Leila falls through her floor, as she turns intangible in search for the ghost. She was determined in saving Alfred. She won't be the only one surviving this time. The normally lit mansion was now dark, with only a few lights flickering in some of the rooms. The halls- though usually felt slightly empty- now seem completely hollow. Alfred was nowhere in sight as the girl's voice kept echoing,
"Please dooon't leave meeee. Cooome play with meeee."
Leila narrows her eyes. Whatever game this ghost had up its sleeve was not one she wanted to play. Closing her eyes, Leila let her senses heighten around her, searching for the breathing of Alfred. If he is still breathing. Levitating through the hallways, Leila focuses on finding Alfred. Leila frowns as she passes through the library and dining hall, heading towards the kitchen in hopes of finding Alfred in his usual place. What she found was not what she wanted.
Alfred was there but unconscious, tied sitting up in a chair next to a play-set table. One set for tea and held a slight orange glow around it. Leila held her position at the doorway, holding a defensive stance midair as she observes the darken room. Her own fists glowing her signature purple hue of ectoplasm.
"Who are you?" Leila calls out, her own voice echoing and whispering through the pots and pans hanging above the stove in the kitchen. She could hear Alfred groaning as he starts to become conscious. Suddenly appears a small, pale ghost of a girl, dressed in a flowery dress with matching bow and hugging a teddy bear. Grinning sadly, she snuggles the teddy bear closer,
"I just want to play. Why won't you play with Penny?"
Leila blinks in surprise before lowering her fists, however doesn't let her guard down. It may be a ghost, but Leila couldn't help but sense a loss from the poor girl. Yet again, the girl- Penny- did capture Alfred.
"Is that your name? Penny?" Penny confirms the intel with a nod as Leila continues,
"Are you lost? How'd you get here?"
"I wanted someone to play with. But the old man was afraid and started to run away. I wanted to show him my dolly." Penny gave a sweet smile- least it would've been sweet if not for her pale-greenish skin and orange aura- while waving her petite hand to levitate her doll in front of Leila. The doll was that of porcelain, petite features and colorful details in hopes of making it more life-like. Leila eyes it wearily as she tries talking with Penny.
"The doll is very pretty Penny. But did you have to attack my friend? Don't you see you hurt him?" Leila keep her eyes on Penny and the doll, meanwhile attempting to position herself closer to Alfred without Penny noticing. Penny's powers seem that of only controlling toys but Leila knew that didn't guarantee anything. Penny merely tips her head in confusion as Leila continues,
"Why not let the 'old man' go and we play somewhere else now? He's hurt. He won't be much fun to play with if he's hurt."
Leila attempts to step forward, reaching for Alfred. Her mistake. Penny's eyes all of a sudden turn dark orange as she growls in anger,
"No. I want someone to play with! The old man was kind to you, why won't he play with me?"
Penny's hands glow orange in her anger as the play table-set starts to lift off the floor, with Alfred still barely conscious and going along for the ride. Leila narrows her eyes, this time taking a new approach.
"Penny. Let Alfred go."
Penny grins in a sweet but mischievous way as she levitates Alfred higher to the ceiling. A ten-foot drop.
"Fine. We'll have a little fun then. Let's play catch!"
Leila suddenly feel ropes snake around her, constricting her arms to her side, as Penny lets go of her telepathy on Alfred's chair. A twisted game of catch.
"No!"
Leila yells as she struggles forward, trying to break free from the binding cords. Her eyes glow a violet hue as Leila concentrates on her own powers, creating a protective shield around Alfred before he hits the ground. The impact wasn't pretty, but as the smoke of ectoplasm clears, Leila sighs in relief, as Alfred was unharmed. Penny meanwhile giggles away at Leila's participation of the game she started.
"You're right. You're much more fun to play with," Penny says innocently as her control on the table-set evaporates before it crashes to the kitchen floor. Leila is jerked back away from Alfred, the ropes pulling her back into a small chair accessorized to Penny's tea set table. Squirming against the ropes, Leila leans back against the chair as Penny hovers in front of her,
"Let's play tag! You're it!" Exclaims Penny before disappearing, taking with her the tea set and leaving both Alfred and Leila still tied up in their chairs.
Leila growls under her breath, her hands glowing in irritation at the little ghost girl. Burning the ropes as her hands glow with ectoplasm, Leila snaps them apart before rushing forward to Alfred as he slowly opens his eyes,
"Alfred! I'm so sorry. I swear I've never seen that ghost in my life. I-
"Mistress Leila," Alfred cuts in as he groans trying to sit up straighter to look Leila in the eye, "I know it's not your fault. I will be fine. However, I believe that little girl will need someone. Maybe simple notions like soup perhaps." Alfred gives Leila a sincere look as she unties the ropes binding him to the chair. Leila, for once, smiles at Alfred before giving him a quick hug.
"You're brilliant Alfred. Thank you." Leila releases Alfred before giving him a determined look, "I'll find Penny."
Leila turns intangible before phasing through the mansion and taking flight above Gotham City. She had to reach Penny before Batman and Robin found her. Only the ectoplasmic-repelling system in their utility belts was currently functioning and though Penny was only a child, it was to her advantage as well. If I were a child wanting to play...where would I go? Leila thought as she levitates through the city. It was a city dark and cold, grimy and filled with felony. The last thing it needs are ghosts. Yet, Leila couldn't help but think that her powers were the factor to bring Penny here. She was too, in a sense, innocent to know anything other than having a desire to play. Leila shudders at the thought of what could cause Penny's obsession to always want to play with someone. Alfred's right. She's just a little girl.
Leila snaps her fingers as she realizes the obvious answer on where Penny would run. A playground. Turning her direction around, Leila streaks through the cloudy night sky towards the public playground of Gotham. Landing beside the play structure in the wet grass, Leila glances around to find Penny hugging her teddy bear on the swing set. Leila cautiously approaches Penny,
"Are we playing hide and seek now Penny? Cause I found you." Leila gives a small smile to Penny as she comes up to kneel in front of her. Penny only glances up, hugging her teddy bear closer,
"Please. Don't leave me." Penny pleads with a sad look in her eyes. Leila places a gentle hand on Penny in reassurance before replying,
" I won't leave you Penny. But you can't stay here...people aren't nice in this city."
"That old man was nice."
"I know. But not everyone's as understanding as Alfred is. We have to get you home."
"Please. No. I don't want to go hooome. No one will play with me."
Tears start to swell-up behind Penny's orange eyes and Leila bite her lip, Penny's pleas confirming Leila's theory on her obsession. It was wanting to play with people when no one else would that became her obsession. Penny had left this world alone. Still all alone and Leila was determined to give Penny the endearing notion of soup like Alfred did to her. But where to take her? She can't stay in the human world and the only portal accessible to the Ghost Zone is Vlad's... Leila eyes the young girl as thoughts ran through her head. For all she knows, Penny could be a trap from Vlad. Playing an innocent, lonely girl to lure Leila away. However, only Penny is here and they were all alone.
"Penny. How did you get here? Do you remember how you came to this world?"
Snuffling, Penny looks up from her teddy bear before replying,
"A portal appeared above this playground...then I could sense you and followed till I found that old man. I didn't mean to hurt him...I just wanted someone to play with."
Leila raises an eyebrow, perplexed by hearing a natural portal between the living and the dead.
"Do you know if that portal will appear again?"
Penny merely shakes her head, looking back down and hugging her teddy bear again. Leila meanwhile glances up at the sky. She never been to, what Vlad calls it, the Ghost Zone. All she knew was that it was a co-existing dimension between Earth and the afterlife. The fact that there are natural portals occurring would concern Batman; showing more of the connections between the spectral realm and reality. Leila suddenly hears the little bird's notorious taunting laughter and sucks in her breath as she calls out to Penny,
"Penny, wait-"
Too late, Penny already had disappeared just as Robin lands on the bar holding the swing set together. Leila curses herself, not only did she lose Penny but she's also encountering Robin in her ghost form. Perfect.
"Never seen you before. Just when I thought Gotham wouldn't be able to throw anything new at me. Batman will be so whelmed by this."
Leila raised her hands in surrender, hoping Penny won't run too far before she could escape Robin. He didn't seem to notice the similarities of her ghost form and her human one- least not yet. Leila starts to hover just above the ground as she eyes his utility belt, making Robin to raise an eyebrow at her as well.
"Robin. You have to listen to me. I'm on your side."
"You're a ghost... Although, would explain why you're not attacking. Why are you here then?"
"I don't have long to explain but there's a little girl. A ghost who's alone and scared in this world. I have to find her before someone else does. The longer we stay here, the farther she'll be from me to be able to find her. You have to believe me."
Robin frowns at the situation, observing Leila as she levitates midair. Something was familiar with this ghost girl but he couldn't quite make himself believe it. The ghost girl looks exactly like Leila, that is with inverse features and if she were dead. But he just saw Leila hours before back at Wayne Manor. Shaking his head slightly, Robin radios Batman, keeping a watchful eye on Leila.
"Robin to Batman. There's this...ghost girl here. Says-"
As Robin turns to listen to Batman's reply, Leila took her move and disappears from sight. She had to find Penny, even if that means angering the little birdie for a night. Only problem is the playground was the only place Penny knew where to go. Leila had limited time. Not only does she have to get home before Robin, but also if Vlad knows about natural portals, then Penny would be endangered. Minutes pass by like hours as Leila scours the city from above. Penny was nowhere to be found. Landing on a rooftop, Leila clutches her fists. Great job Leila. Can't even help a little girl, let alone find her. Some great powers.
Leila is about to take off back to Wayne Manor when she notices a stuff animal lying on the ground in the alleyway below. A teddy bear.
Madison, Wisconsin
August 21 23:13 EDT
The man shoved the ghost in front of him, placing her front and centered before the large computer screen that held seven silhouettes of light. The girl hugs her doll closer to herself, frightened by the cruel man and the blinding light of the images on the screen before her. The man chuckles as he watches the frightened girl,
"I collected the ghost as you wished."
"Excellent. Add her to the collection. With your research Vlad, we'll be one step closer to re-obtaining Leila and her power. And one step closer of showing everyone the Light."
A/N: Penny is one of my oc's but she was inspired by a post on Pinterest. Her character and background is what I made up for her though. Thank you again for all the favorites and followers! Special thanks to those who review. Please keep reviewing! Hope to get the next chapter done in a few days if not next week.
