A/N: Well, here is the next part in the prologue. There's a lot of action in this one, and we get further along in the story. Disclaimer: I do not own Dann Phantom nor Young Justice.
The sun brought a comforting warm feeling to Jazz as she lay on the bed, there was a dry tear stream on her face. The young girl was fast asleep, oblivious to the events that took place the night before. Unaware that her brother was kidnapped.
"Jazz", came a male's voice. The girl groaned in response, she heard the voice, but couldn't comprehend what it was saying to her.
"Jazz…Where's Danny?" The man said, louder this time.
"W-What?" Jazz asked as she brought her hands up to her eyes to rub the sleep from them. "Danny?" Jazz asked half asleep, still not alert enough to answer the question that was directed towards her.
"He's gone…" Came a deep voice.
Jazz opened up her eyes and sat up rapidly. "Batman?" Jazz asked in confusion. 'What is her doing here?' She thought as she looked up at the man. Sure enough there was a man dressed in all black, he had pointed bat ears, a bat like cape, and a black mask hiding his upper face.
"Your brother, Jazz", Batman said in a demanding tone.
"What do you mean? He's in the next room over…" Jazz said as she got off the bed and headed towards the next room. Batman remained silent and followed the girl out of the room and into the next. Jazz suddenly stopped and examined the room. She was baffled that no one was in there.
"I-I don't understand…He should be in here!" Jazz yelled with disbelief.
"Jazz, you need to calm down. It's obvious someone has taken him, but do you know where?" Batman said in a monotone voice.
"Where? I-I…Wisconsin! The Wisconsin ghost must have taken him!" Jazz stuttered out. She was trying to think clearly in this kind of situation, but at the same time, she was worried about her brother.
"Wisconsin ghost…" Batman echoed in disbelief.
"We have to hurry and get my brother! He could be in danger!" Jazz yelled in panic, and started to run down the hallway.
"Jazz wait", Batman called as Jazz halted and looked back at the man. "The Batmobile is in the back. It will take a while for us to reach Wisconsin. Have you eaten yet?"
"Oh…No…But Danny needs us! We ha-"
"Jazz, we can't help your brother if we don't have the strength to. Besides, it's too dangerous to let you help…"
"You can't do this! He's my brother! He's all I have left!"
"And what good will it do for him if you get hurt trying to help him!?"
Jazz was silent and had her head down, she was clenching her hands by her side. "Fine…Let's go. I'm not hungry", Jazz said as she walked past him. 'Like hell I'll just sit around and do nothing while my brother needs my help', Jazz thought as she kept walking.
Batman gave a subtle nod and began to follow the teenager. 'I'll need to keep an eye on her. Something tells me she's not going to listen', Batman thought as he quickened his pace to catch up to Jazz.
Danny woke up and found that he was in a dark area. He tried to stand up, but found his arms and legs restricted by steel restraints. His arms were above his head, and his legs were spread out. He had another restraint around his waist. Physically, he couldn't move at all.
"W-What?" Danny asked in confusion. The weirdest thing he discovered was that his shirt was off, revealing his bare chest. The young halfa struggled to get loose, but it was impossible. He then proceeded to go ghost in a last attempt, but couldn't find his ghostly core.
"He must have shot me with the Plasmius Maximus…." Danny said dejectedly.
"You're catching on quick", came Vlad's voice as the lights suddenly came on. The boy was suddenly blinded by the light and had to look down as his eyes dilated. He then quickly looked back up and saw Plasmius slowly walking towards him.
Danny growled, "What do you want, Plasmius?" Danny asked the man as he glared.
Vlad only chuckled, "My boy, I have what I want…and at long last".
"You won't get away with this", Danny said in defiance.
"Oh, I think you'll find that I can…You see, no one knows where you are, and no one will suspect me", Vlad said full of mirth.
Danny only laughed, Vlad rose an eyebrow, "Oh man…Jazz knows who you are and where I am. SO you see, you won't be getting away with this".
"Jasmine is alive? Interesting", Vlad said as he smirked.
Danny felt a shiver run through his body, "You leave her alone!" He growled.
"You aren't in a position to make demands, Daniel", Vlad said darkly as he charged up an ecto-blast.
Danny gasped and he closed his eyes tightly and tensed up his body. Vlad only chuckled at this response, this caused Danny to open up his eyes.
"Don't you trust me, Daniel?" Vlad asked with a dangerous gleam in his eye.
"No", Danny said blatantly. He glared at the older halfa.
"Hmm…We'll have to work on that, won't we?" Vlad asked, although more to himself than Danny. He then started to walk to a table, his body was covering what he was doing at the table.
"Just let me go, Vlad", Danny said softly and hopelessly. He had hoped that Vlad hadn't heard it, but he had.
"That's not an option, little Badger. See, you belong to me now".
"I'm not something you can own!" Danny yelled out in anger.
Vlad turned around and Danny saw that Vlad had a hand filled with a black ecto-blast. He began to walk towards the boy with a wicked smile plastered on his face.
Danny felt his body start to tense up. "W-What are you doing?"
"You see, Daniel, long ago, masters would mark their slaves with something that resembled them. That way, whenever the slave would try and run away, other slave owners would find that slave and would return it to its master", Vlad said as he stopped in front of Danny. "But you most likely do not pay attention in school to learn this information".
"I'm not sure I like where this is going", Danny said warily. Vlad didn't say anything, only looked at the boy obsessively. Danny shuddered involuntarily and then Vlad brought his glowing black hand up to Danny's chest.
"This is going to hurt", Vlad said in amusement.
"What are you-"
At that instant Vlad pushed his hand into the boy's chest. Danny's eyes grew wide, and then he released a blood curdling scream. He started to thrash furiously against the restraints, he had one thought only at the time, to get away from this pain.
"Hold still, Daniel, you wouldn't want me to mess up", Vlad said as he smirked, revealing his pointed fangs.
Danny couldn't hear Vlad over the loud screams he was releasing. As time progressed, a 'V' started to appear on Danny's left side of his chest. Vlad seemed pleased with his work and pulled his hand out of the boy's chest. Danny was panting for breath, and sweat was evident on his face. He could barely keep his eyes open.
"W-Wh-at…Did you do…to me?" Danny said in between pants.
"I've left my mark on you. Now you will be connected to me, whether you want to be or not", Vlad said in a matter-of-fact voice.
Danny looked as if he would pass out at any given moment, his chest felt as if it were on fire. There was a sharp pain with every breath he took.
"It may seem bad now Daniel, but you'll learn to like it" Vlad said as he turned away from Danny and started to walk back towards the table that he was at previously.
"I-I won't", Danny said defiantly, still panting.
Vlad chuckled at Danny, "With your pain threshold being considerably low, I'm impressed that you haven't passed out yet".
Danny coughed in reply, it seemed like whatever he did, he could not get enough oxygen into his lungs. "S-Shut up", Danny managed to choke out. His throat was raw from screaming so much. 'Great, I'm impressing Plasmius, that's the last thing I want to do. Maybe when he's bored of me, he'll let me go', Danny thought as he coughed again.
"Don't count on that, Daniel. I knew you belonged at my side since we first met. Are you surprised that I can read your mind? Now you know what I meant by connected, my boy", Vlad said casually.
"You're…sick", Danny scoffed.
"There's that teen wit of yours. I will enjoy breaking that part of you, boy. You should try and conserve your strength- I have many things planned, little Badger", Vlad said with mock innocence.
Danny could feel the strain on his eyes, they were slowly closing themselves shut. 'Damn it! I-I can't…fall asleep!' Danny thought furiously. No matter what he thought, or tried to do, Danny's body was shutting down. The last thing Danny saw was Vlad walking towards him with the same device that he was wearing before…
Jazz was in the Batmobile with her arms crossed. Although it may have looked like she was pouting, she was actually thinking about her brother. 'Danny…I'll get you safe from that Frootloop's clutches…I promise'.
Batman would spare Jazz some glances aside from having his main attention on the road. 'I need to get as much information as I can on this 'Wisconsin Ghost', and just the face that he kidnapped Danny doesn't leave me with much intel'.
"Jazz…" Batman said, trying to start a conversation.
"What?" Jazz snapped back, she didn't even bother to look at him.
Batman sighed, "Look, I know you have some…hostility towards me because I told you to stay out of this, but I need information. It won't do us any good to run into a fight blind".
Jazz sighed, "I know that…But my parents just died…All I have is my little brother…Can you blame me for wanting to help him?" Jazz said dejectedly.
Batman nodded, "I understand your wanting to help him, but right now you need to let me help him…And you can do this by giving me some information".
"Fine…The real ghost's name is Plasmius. He uses ecto attacks, basically his entire being is made out of ectoplasm."
"Ectoplasm?" Batman echoed as he rose an eyebrow.
"It's like this green gooey substance", Jazz said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"I see…And how much physical damage does it leave behind on a human?"
"A human? I'm guessing a few scratches at the least", Jazz said as she brought a hand to her chin in thought.
"Very well, I'll have to proceed with caution then…Thank you, Jazz".
"I won't forgive you if you don't return with my brother, you know", Jazz said as she crossed her arms. 'I also won't forgive myself if I don't try something to help him…Good thing I brought along the Fenton Blaster'.
"I know", Batman said as he nodded. 'I'm sorry, Jazz, but I know you're still planning something, and I can't let you get hurt'.
Danny groaned as he moved his sore body. He noticed he was laying on top of a bed. He opened his eyes and saw that he was wearing an all-black outfit. A long sleeved shirt, along with pants and shoes. He also noticed that that stupid device was back on his wrist!
"Damn it! I'm still trapped here!" Danny yelled out and immediately regretted it. His throat was still raw and was developing into a sore throat. Then came the immediate sharp pain in his chest. He immediately was hunched over, clutching his hand over the area where Vlad had marked him. He started to cough, and then gasping for air.
"Alright, first I need to get out of here. Who knows what else Plasmius has planned for me?" Danny said as he looked around the room. He slowly got up from his bed and stood up. 'At least I still have my strength back', Danny thought as he reached for the doorknob and tried to pull it open.
Thousands of shocks were released through his body. Danny yelled out in pain and the force thrusted him against the wall. He got the wind knocked out of him. 'What, does he have a ghost shield around the room?'
"Close, but not quite, Daniel", Vlad said as he entered the room. Danny glared at Vlad, he won't give him the satisfaction of reading his thought anymore.
"You see, this room was specifically designed for you. It was made to keep you in and never let you out…unless I tell it to, of course."
Danny narrowed his eyes further, this made Vlad chuckle, "What's the matter, son?"
"I am not your son", Danny said in a deathly tone.
"Oh, but you will be…as soon as the adoption papers come".
"Bruce Wayne had direct custody of me, Plasmius, not you".
"Hmm, we'll see what a little…convincing will do", Vlad said as his eyes flashed a menacing red.
"Y-You can't", Danny said as there was a sharp pain in his chest. He was hunched over again and was grabbing his chest.
"Well, this is an interesting turn out. It appears that the mark that I bestowed upon you is recognizing who the higher being is".
"What…are you?"
"Come, Daniel. I believe it's time to train".
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Danny yelled with defiance.
"Such disobedience", Vlad said as he sighed and took out a controller and pushed a button. Danny was immediately shocked and let out a scream of anguish. He was out of breath and was panting for air.
"Well, Daniel?" Vlad looked at Danny in anticipation. Danny just looked at Vlad. The man was slowly lowering his finger onto the button again. Danny's eyes grew wide with fear.
"Wait!" Danny yelled as he slowly got up to his feet.
"Good boy", Vlad said as he put the remote away. "Come along", he said as he walked through the open door. Danny just stared at it, 'I'm not going to get shocked again, am I?'
"Daniel, you'll find that I'm not a patient man", Vlad said, a hidden threat behind those words. Danny's eyes grew wide and he hurried through the door and followed after Vlad.
The walls were lined with paintings, the only light was emitted by small candles hanging loosely along the walls. Vlad was a few feet in front of Danny. The boy narrowed his eyes, his eyes were getting heavy from the great amount of pain he had experienced earlier. He put a hand up to his chest, where the pain was coming from. He held his head down…he didn't want to risk thinking anything, because for whatever reason, Vlad could read his thoughts.
One thing, however, was clear as day…He needed to get away from Vlad!
"What's wrong, little Badger? Cat got your tongue?" Vlad asked sarcastically as he turned his head a little behind him so he could face the boy.
Danny growled in response but kept his head down. He placed the hand that was on his chest back down by his sides again as he walked. Vlad smiled as he turned his head back to the front once more.
"It's strange…all this way and none of that teen wit of yours? I'm impressed, Daniel", Vlad said as he put his hands behind his back. Danny noticed the controller for the device that he was wearing on his wrist was right before him…in Vlad's hands.
"Yeah, Plasmius? This is how low you've sunken? Taking a weak defenseless kid and beating him up? That's kind of pathetic…" Danny said as he stopped walking and stood his ground. His cold blue eyes never leaving the remote in his arch enemy's hands.
"Oh? And pray tell Daniel, what will you do about it?" Vlad asked him as he took a few more steps and turned around to face the young halfa.
There was a bone chilling wind that raced down the corridor they were in. The candle lights flickered and extended their shadows being illuminated by the small light in the area. Vlad's shadow showed his ghost form with fierce red eyes. Danny's was of his ghost form as well, but with venomous green eyes.
"Well, I'll tell you what I won't do…think", Danny said as he smirked at Vlad, and then he suddenly charged at him. Vlad didn't move a muscle, he only stood there in the same position as before, but he had an amused smile on his face.
"Jazz, I need to step out of the car, think you can handle staying here for a while?" Batman asked as he looked at Jazz through his mask, covering his face.
"Sure thing…I'll just stay here", Jazz said as she smiled kindly. Batman nodded in response and stepped out of the car, as he said he would. As soon as she was sure he was gone, she pulled out a cell phone from her pocket and immediately called Sam.
"Sam? It's Jazz…No, I'm fine. Danny? Well, that's kind of hard to explain…You see…The Frootloop has him", at the last part of the conversation Jazz had to pull the phone away from her ear because Sam had erupted in rage. She then put it back, "Sam! Calm down! You see…Batman and I are going to save him he'll be fine!" Jazz said as she smiled. 'At least I hope we'll make it before he does any serious damage to my little brother', she thought grimly.
"Anyway, Sam, I have to go. I think Batman's coming back…I'll bring him back, Sam…I swear on my life I will", Jazz promised as she closed the phone and tucked it away right as the car door opened up.
"There will be no more interruptions, now, we will focus on getting Danny back", Batman said as he slid into his seat and shit the door.
Jazz looked down, "I just hope that Danny's okay…"
Danny was put in a choke-hold to the point where Vlad had him secured. The young hybrid was trying to tear away Vlad's arm from his throat.
"Let. Go. Of. ME!" Danny yelled as his face was turning red. Mostly from lack of oxygen, but also from the rage that was building up inside of him.
"Now, Daniel, I see I have much to teach you. First, don't leave yourself open. Second, don't rush into a fight without thinking. That's just foolish", Vlad said as he smirked. "But, at least I know that you aren't broken…yet".
Danny was struggling to get out of this madman's grip. He was also frantically looking for the remote that was dropped during the fight. He silently breathed a breath of relief when he found it on the ground…Just a little to the left of him. He still wasn't thinking right, but at that moment…he bit Vlad on the arm.
Vlad yelled out in pain and then immediately let go of the boy, but he realized it was a mistake too late. That amount of time was all that Danny needed as he lunged for the remote that was on the ground.
"Oh, Butter rolls!" Vlad yelled as he charged up an ecto-blast, still in his human form, at the boy.
The scene seemed to be going in slow motion for the two halfa's. Danny had a desperate look on his face as he almost had the remote in his grasp, but then he was quickly blasted in the ribs that Vlad had sent out, and was thrown against the wall.
"Geh!" Danny yelled as he got the wind knocked out of him for the second time that day. He couldn't support his head up and it slumped down. His body laid limp against the wall, which now had an imprint embedded in the structure.
Vlad walked over to the remote and grabbed it, he then walked over to Danny and smirked evilly at him. "You surprised me, Daniel, a sneak attack…you're becoming more like me eve-"
"I…am nothing…like you", Danny said as he slowly rose his head and met Vlad's harsh cruel eyes. Then, Danny's eyes went wide with pain and he was soon finding himself hunched over, the sharp pain in his chest had returned. The boy's breathing hitched and he brought his hand up to the place in his chest where Vlad had dug his hand through previously.
"What…Make the pain stop", Danny barely managed to mumble out. The pain kept getting worse…and Vlad was the one who was inflicting it.
"Get up, Daniel. I know you've been through worse", Vlad said strictly.
"Why?" Danny whispered. Anger was rising in him steadily.
"Why…?" Vlad instigated as he smirked down at the boy.
"Why me?" Danny asked more loudly this time.
"Daniel, let me put this into words that even you would understand. That device on your wrist, it lets me control how much strength I will allow you to have. The mark I bestowed upon you, it causes sharp pains in your chest because it's setting up a link between us. Once that link is fully established, I'll know where you will be at all times, and also what you are thinking".
"I don't…" Danny said as his eyebrows were brought up in confusion. He struggled to get up.
"In other words Daniel, it means that I will own you. In time, you'll look up to me, whether you want to or not, it won't be your choice."
"No!" Danny yelled as he looked at Vlad, defiance in his eyes. "You always have a choice!"
"In some cases that theory is true, however it does not apply to this one", Vlad said as he smirked, "You're finally where you belong. This will be your new home, and I will be your new father."
"I refuse to be used as your puppet, Plasmius!" Danny yelled as his eyes turned a bright shade of neon green. He was also unknowingly making ecto-plasm in his hands.
Vlad only looked at him then walked over to a part of the wall. "Then prove me wrong", the man said as he outstretched his hands to his sides.
Danny narrowed his eyes and suddenly got up with great speed, he charged at Vlad with his fist raised, pure rage in his eyes. Right as he was about to strike the older halfa, he vanished, and the wall opened up to a room. It was a full white room, it was also a very open area. Danny was threw off balance and gasped in surprise as he dodge rolled into the room and landed on his right knee.
"He tricked me…" Danny grumbled as he was about to get up and exit out of the room. Then suddenly the doors slammed shut with an astounding speed. The boy immediately raced to the doors and tried to pry them open…only, there was no trace that a door was ever there to begin with.
"Crap!" Danny yelled as he punched the wall in frustration. "Why would I fall for that? Way to go Fenton…" Danny mumbled as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Ghost mode enabled", came a robotic voice coming from his wrist.
"Oh…you have got to be –"
Danny was interrupted as an ecto-blast hit him on his back, it knocked him forward and onto the floor.
"After all my lectures of leaving yourself open…" Plasmius said as he appeared and had his arms crossed in front of his chest. Danny only struggled to stand up. "Morph, Daniel", Plasmius ordered.
'I hate you so much…I'll find a way to get out of here…To get away from you", Danny thought venomously as Vlad only smirked.
"You see, my boy, my mansion was specially designed to keep you in…I've taken all the precautions…You'll never get away from me".
Danny narrowed his eyes at the man and then proceeded to morph into his ghost form. "We'll see about that", he said as he charged up an ecto-blast and fired it at Plasmius, who smiled and teleported away, resulting in the blast missing him. Danny growled and looked around the area, looking for the older halfa.
"Behind you, little Badger", Plasmius whispered as Danny quickly looked behind him. Plasmius was charging up a strong ecto-blast that would cause some serious damage if he were to get hit by it.
'Crap!' Danny thought as his eyes went wide. He could block it, but that would use up most of his strength! He needed to dodge it. 'Dodge!' Danny thought loudly in his head. Plasmius read his thoughts and smirked as he released the beam.
Danny could only at the powerful beam that was coming straight towards him. The boy closed his eyes and braced for impact…but it never came. Confused, the young halfa slowly opened his eyes. He was glowing green and had teleported out of the way of Plasmius' attack.
"Teleportation?" He asked in disbelief as he looked at his hands. The glow of the green on his hands was slowly fading away.
"It took me years to learn that power", Plasmius said as he started to walk towards Danny. The young hybrid glared at him and raised his fists that were now filled with green ecto-plasm. "Hmm, there's that rebellious side of yours", Plasmius said as he narrowed his eyes and snapped his fingers. Almost immediately two Plasmius clones pushed Danny to the ground and held him there.
"Get off me!" Danny yelled as he struggled to get away from the clones, to try and phase through them, but all were useless. The original Plasmius smirked as he bent down by him and placed a finger under the boy's chin, forcing Danny to look at him.
"You have unlimited potential running through your veins, and that power that you've attainted, the teleportation, remember that you've only learned it through my guidance".
Danny glared at Plasmius with bright neon eyes, then he looked away. 'He's right…I never would have been able to…'
"Correct, Daniel, you should be thanking me really", Plasmius said as he smirked.
"I won't thank you for anything!" Danny yelled as his eyes flashed in anger, then he teleported away.
Plasmius chuckled in amusement, "In time you will, son", Plasmius said as he absorbed all his clones so the original was the only one left.
"Stop calling me that!" Danny yelled as he rushed Plasmius from above and punched his in the chest. The man stumbled backwards and had an amused smile on his face.
"You're always the cause of my problems!" Danny yelled in anger and round housed Plasmius, and as a result, the older halfa stumbled backwards again.
"Do you even know what Jazz must be going through right now? We have to look out for each other, and you took me away from her!" Danny yelled as he summoned an ecto-blast in both his hands and released them together. It hit Plasmius and caused a smoke screen around the battle field, the visibility was close to zero. Danny was scanning the area for his arch enemy, but it was next to impossible.
"Now, Daniel, I don't believe that's the way you speak to your father", Plasmius' voice said as his hand came out of the smoke and latched itself onto Danny's wrist.
"Yeah, I don't, but you aren't my father", Danny said as he glared at him and tried to get out of the man's grip.
"Tsk, tsk", Plasmius said as if he were lecturing a small child, "That's not how your mother raised you. Allow me to demonstrate how powerless you are in this situation", Plasmius said as he raised a fist.
"What are you-"
Plasmius slammed his fist right into the mark that was on the boy's chest. As soon as Plasmius' fist had collided with the mark, Danny's ghost form came undone. However, the young halfa had no time to be surprised, because due to the impact that Plasmius had made to his body, he was sent backwards and crashed into one of the white walls. He slowly slid down the wall as he let out a groan of pain.
"See Daniel, I will always be stronger than you. I suggest you be careful with your word choice from here on out", Plasmius said as he teleported next to the boy.
Danny was beyond terrified that Plasmius could literally control when he could switchback. He really did feel powerless…Maybe there was no way to escape this man anymore…But why was he so obsessed with him? Wasn't he after his…Mom…?
Danny tried to speak, but he couldn't use his vocal cords. He looked up at Plasmius and glared at him.
"Oh, did I forget to mention? You are unable to speak for 30 minutes after a forced transformation", Plasmius said as he smirked.
'I won't give up', Danny thought as he looked away from the older halfa. He was filled with such animosity each time he looked at the man. Plasmius remained silent. 'You may have me physically here, but mentally I will fight against you until the day I die', he thought again as his strength was slowly fading. He was getting drowsy from using so much energy.
"That's where you're wrong, Daniel. The link isn't fully complete yet…No, you see my boy, one final adjustment will make you loyal to me. Both physically and mentally", Plasmius said as he crossed his arms.
'You…won't…' Danny thought as he was seeing double vision. He was trying desperately to stay away, but eventually he passed out as Plasmius smirked at him sinisterly.
"Is this it, Jazz?" Batman asked as he looked at Jazz for confirmation.
Jazz just looked at the castle. Sure, she had been here a couple of times before…but it never looked so ominous and eerie. She then nodded slowly and gulped, she had to do this…For her little brother…For Danny.
"I'm going in", Batman said as he opened the car door.
"Whoah, hold on buddy, I'm going too!" Jazz yelled as she grabbed her Fenton Blaster by her feet.
"Sorry, Jazz, but I can't have you getting hurt", Batman said as he pushed a button by the steering wheel. A white mist began to encircle the unsuspecting girl.
"What are-?" Jazz started to ask but then quickly fell asleep in the passenger seat, the white mist fulfilling its purpose.
"I promise I'll get Danny back for you", Batman said as he looked at the sleeping girl once more before finally heading towards the mansion.
Danny woke up and found himself in the small room with that weird shield around it.
"Damn it!" Danny yelled at himself. "Not only does Vlad control me physically, he'll be able to make me 'loyal' to him…this has got to be nightmare twelve…" He mumbled as he looked at the wall and decided it was a great stress reliever as he punched it. "Not to mention he canceled out my ghost powers…Again!" He yelled again in frustration. He ran a hand through his hair to try and calm himself down…It wasn't working.
"Will I even be able to see Jazz again? What if he doesn't let me see her?! I'll go insane! I can't take this anymore!" Danny yelled as he banged his head against the wall.
He then heard the doorknob start to rattle back and forth. 'That can't be Plasmius…Please…' Danny thought hopelessly.
As the door opened, Danny backed himself against the wall. He was holding in his breath as the door continued to open. The first thing he noticed was a black clothed body and automatically thought it was Vlad in his human form. Danny then raised his fist and decided to catch Vlad off guard by rushing in on him. He thrusted his fist into the person who caught it in his gloved hand.
"Danny…" Batman said as he looked down at the boy. Danny only stared at the new figure and rose an eyebrow.
"Who are you?" Danny asked and Batman only sighed.
"We don't have time, give me your wrist…the one with the device", Batman ordered. Danny complied and cautiously gave Batman his wrist. Immediately Batman pulled a hacking wire from his utility belt and got to work on dismantling the pesky device.
"…No, seriously, do I know you?" Danny asked in confusion.
"Danny this is a very secure device. I need to concentrate", Batman ordered once more.
"So, you're helping me? Wait…you're Batman? I always thought you'd be taller", Danny said with a shrug. Batman sighed and Danny let out a smile.
"Alright I got it. Let's go", Batman said as the device fell off Danny's wrist. The boy then rubbed his wrist with his other hand, glad that the handicap was gone. Batman exited the room and Danny was about to, but he hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Batman questioned.
"Plasmius said he was the only one who could let me out", Danny mumbled.
"The device is gone, Danny. He can't keep you here anymore", Batman said and Danny hesitantly nodded.
"I guess you're right", Danny said and stepped out of the room, surprised that nothing happened.
"Now, let's get going. Your sister is waiting for you in the car", Batman said as he started to sprint, and Danny quickly followed.
"Wait, you brought Jazz here? What were you thinking?!" Danny yelled out in frustration.
"She had to lead me here to find you", he said matter-of-factly as he slightly turned his head behind him and glanced at the boy.
"Oh…Right…Well, I could have gotten out on my own", Danny said as he kept up with Batman, this time running beside the Dark Knight. Batman gave him a disbelieving smirk and kept running, deciding to not make a comment on the matter.
All of a sudden, the lights turned off. Batman suddenly halted, and Danny skidded a few feet in front of him before finally stopping. Batman and Danny glanced around the area, expecting something to happen…They weren't disappointed.
"Now, now, Daniel, where do you think you're running off to?" came Plasmius' voice as an eerie red ecto-beam came out of the darkness and hit Danny square on the chest. The boy went flying back several feet before colliding with the ground. Batman was instantly on guard and looked for the mysterious opponent.
"You should learn to not take other people's property", came the voice again as another red ecto-beam came out of nowhere and was about to collide with Batman before he artfully dodged it. He countered the attack with a bat-a-rang.
"How ludicrous of you to assume that you own Danny…" Batman said in a gruff voice.
"Yeah…" Danny mumbled as he slowly got to his feet. He then looked around the area, and walked closer to Batman. Now that that device was off his wrist, he could use his ghost powers freely. The only problem with that is now that Batman is here, he couldn't risk having him find out that he was half ghost. So, as unfitting as this was, he would have to let Batman fight this battle for him.
There was a dark chuckle that seemed to bounce off the walls, it sent shivers up Danny's spine. He glanced around the area again.
"What's wrong, Plasmius? Are you hiding because you're too afraid to face us?" Danny taunted, trying to draw him out of his hiding place.
"No, boy, however, are you going to let your bat friend fight this battle for you? It's not even his to fight", Vlad said in a condescending manner.
Danny growled at the comment, rage was starting to consume him, and he wasn't sure if he could control himself. Batman looked at Danny and shook his head, he then stood protectively in front of the boy with a bat-a-rang placed in his hand threateningly.
"You are not the only one who can hid in the night, ghost", Batman said as he then began to disappear in the night as well. It was at that moment, that Danny felt utterly defenseless, and also a little paranoid since he now had two sets of eyes watching his every move.
"Alright, Plasmius…you want me? Come get me!" Danny yelled as he started to run down the dark corridor. 'What am I doing? Oh yeah, I'm not thinking again! I seem to be good at that, actually', Danny thought as he kept on looking behind him in paranoia. He felt something hot on his back and looked back again and saw a red ecto-blast trailing after him menacingly.
He seemed to have tripped over his own two feet and fell to the floor, the ecto-blast continuing on harmlessly, until in collided with the wall and burst into ghost flames. The boy gulped down his fear and quickly got back up again, only to be tackled against the wall by Plasmius.
"You know you can't escape me, Daniel. I'll take care of your friend, and then I'll have you back in that room with another device on your wrist…I will then finish the link so you will be completely loyal to me. How does that sound?" Plasmius asked rhetorically.
Danny only glared at him, "Well, honestly, it doesn't sound very appealing", he said as he noticed Batman sneaking up on Plasmius with his fist raised. As Batman swung, Danny kicked Vlad off of him and fell to the ground. Plasmius and Batman then proceeded to get into a fist fight.
"I'll take you to somewhere where you can think about your actions, Plasmius", Batman said as he punched Vlad in the chest and then round housed kicked him into the wall. He then proceeded with a follow up punch while Vlad was pinned against the wall, but the ghost turned intangible and avoided the hit.
Danny couldn't see any of the action that was going on, so he couldn't help if needed. He started to walk slowly towards the noise. It was dark still, and he didn't see the candle that was on the floor, so he tripped over it and fell on the ground. He could see the fight now. Batman was on the ground and Vlad was towering over him with an ecto-blast in his hand that was about to deliver the blow to Batman. Danny then decided that his secret wasn't worth having to be under Vlad's rule. He prepared an ecto-blast of his own and fired it at Vlad.
"You little rat", Plasmius said as he aimed his blast and Danny. The boy's eyes went wide and he turned intangible as the blast went harmlessly through him. He then went back to visibility as he ran quickly towards Batman. If he could get to him, then he could get them out of there. However, Vlad grabbed the back of Danny's shirt and yanked him backwards.
"How is it that you always get in my way?" Plasmius asked the boy, once again rhetorically. Danny rubbed his abused throat with his hand before looking at Vlad and glaring.
"Leave Danny alone. Your fight is with me", Batman said as he walked towards Plasmius menacingly holding a Bo staff. Vlad smiled in amusement at the weapon before looking at the wielder and then proceeded to chuckle.
"If you think that little thing is going to stop me", Vlad said smiling but then his tone turned dark, "Then you are sorely mistaken", he said as he conjured up a fistful of lightning and charged at Batman. Danny could only watch as they were duking it out. He then glanced around the area and saw a giant glass painted window to the right of him. That was it…That was their escape plan.
"What could I do to knock Vlad out?" Danny mumbled, before thinking about all his ghost abilities. "An ecto-blast? No…mine aren't as strong as his…those won't work…Wait, I got it!" Danny said excitedly. He transformed into Phantom and looked at the two fighting. Batman glanced over and noticed the newcomer, but also noticed that Danny wasn't there. He pieced it together relatively quick, this newcomer was Danny. He then had to dodge and ecto-blast from Plasmius, but always kept a lookout for Danny.
As Danny inhaled a mouthful of air, he caught Batman looking at him and Danny quickly darted his eyes toward the window. Batman gave a slight nod of understanding and whacked Plasmius with his Bo staff, Plasmius was knocked into the wall with an astounding force. Batman then ran to where Danny was, and that was when the boy exhaled that powerful wail of his.
Plasmius looked on in horror as he was pushed against the wall violently, and as Danny's attack was coming to a close, stars started to dart around the boy's vision, and he transformed back into Danny Fenton as he fell unconscious. Batman took this as their cue to leave and grabbed the boy as he jumped out the glass window. He used his long cape as a parachute as he glided them all the way down to the Batmobile. He landed on the ground and quickly put the boy in the car, and himself in the driver's seat. Jazz was starting to wake up and she noticed that they were at the mansion.
"Danny! Don't worry, I'm coming!" Jazz yelled as she grabbed the Fenton Blaster by her feet and was about to open the car door, when the Batmobile quickly sped off down the driveway. Jazz, who was disoriented from just waking up was startled from the sudden motion. "Hey! My brothers in there!" She yelled out with rage and looked at Batman, expecting answers.
"Your brother's in the back seat", Batman said as he concentrated on driving.
"My brother is…" Jazz said as she looked in the back. It was her brother all right, only except he looked like he had some injuries…and also new clothing. "Danny…" She said as she smiled. She then looked at Batman. "So, what do we do now?"
"Mr. Masters wants to have a court hearing with Mr. Wayne tomorrow. Just to have the custody agreements all resolved. As for tonight, you two will be getting a hotel room, and Mr. Wayne will meet you in the morning."
"Alright…I don't think Danny will like the idea of seeing Mr. Masters tomorrow though…" Jazz said warily.
"At least you two can go back to living a normal life after tomorrow", Batman said and Jazz nodded in agreement slowly.
"I still don't see why I have to be there", Danny said in the limo that Mr. Wayne had rented for the day.
"Because this matter concerns you", Bruce said as he looked out the window. His ribs hurt after all the punches that were exchanged the night before. He glanced at Danny and expected him to be in pain, but he wasn't. 'That white haired boy was Danny…But then why isn't he in pain? Does he have super healing?'
"Don't worry, Danny, I'll be there, too", Jazz said as she put a comforting hand on her brother's shoulder. He gave her a small smile.
"We have arrived, Mr. Wayne. Will that be all?" The driver asked with respect.
"Yes, thank you", Bruce said as he nodded. "Shall we get this over with?" Bruce asked the children as he gave a small sigh.
"Yeah, let's settle this", Danny said with determination as he stepped out of the limo. Jazz gave Bruce a concerned look at her brother's behavior before following him out of the limo.
There was a small crowd inside of the court house, each person being there for various things. Bruce led the children through the court house and arrived at the proper room. Bruce was the first to enter, and he noticed Mr. Masters sitting down at the table and watched Bruce enter with an intrigued look on his face. Then Jazz entered, in which Vlad didn't respond to her, she wasn't the one that he was looking for. When Danny entered the room, Vlad looked at him obsessively. Danny looked around the room when he entered and his eyes met Vlad's. It sent shivers up his spine with the look that that frootloop was giving him. He then shrugged it off and then sat down next to Jazz. Then the judge entered and the meeting began.
"According to Jack Fenton's Will, Bruce Wayne has direct custody of Daniel Fenton", the judge said, "However, if Jack Fenton hadn't updated his Will in the past two years, then Vladimir Masters would have had direct custody. As law officials, we must follow what is written. Bruce Wayne has been declared to live in a healthy home, and him already having an adoptive son, makes him fit to raise the rest of Daniel's teenage hood. "
"Court is dismissed", said the lawyer that was standing next to the judge.
Everyone got up and was ready to get on with their lives, except when Vlad had called Danny's name.
"Daniel, may I speak with you?" he called politely, but Danny knew not to be fooled.
"Danny…" Jazz called carefully.
"I'll be fine, Jazz, go on without me, I'll be out in a minute", Danny said.
"Are you sure, Danny? You don't have to speak with him if you don't want to", Bruce said supportively.
"I'm cool, I'll just be a sec", Danny said as he gave them a small smile. They nodded and also filed out of the room.
"What do you want?" Danny asked him in a harsh and rude tone.
"Nothing's changed, why do you even ask that anymore?" Vlad responded sarcastically.
"Look, I'm really not in the mood for this", Danny said and was about to walk away when Vlad grasped him by the wrist tightly. So tightly that Danny flinched in pain a little.
"Listen here, Daniel. I don't know how you got away last night, but mark my words, this is not over", Vlad said sinisterly.
"Oh, I think that the judge made it painfully clear for you. This is over", Danny said in an equally sinister tone.
"Fine, Daniel." Vlad said as he let go of the young hybrid, surprising him.
"Really?" He asked hopefully as he turned towards Vlad, letting go of his guard.
"At least let me give you something to remember me by", Vlad said as he dug into his jacket and pulled it out. It was a syringe and was filled with black liquid. He then thrusted it into Danny's chest and the boy cried out in pain.
"From now on, I won't have to come after you…No, my boy, you will always want to come to me. To be by my side. The link is complete, and I'd love to see how you'll be getting yourself out of this one, Daniel. See you real soon", Vlad said as he pulled the empty syringe out of his chest and turned intangible, laughing darkly before taking off towards his mansion in Wisconsin.
Danny was on the ground in pain, clutching his chest so tightly that he was hurting himself. Jazz walked into the room because her brother was taking too long to come out. She gasped in surprise when she saw her brother in pain and on the floor.
"Bruce!" She yelled and ran to her brother's side.
Bruce immediately ran into the room and saw that his young ward was on the ground in pain, he quickly rushed to his side as well.
"Danny! Danny, are you okay? What happened?" Bruce demanded, wanting answers.
"H-Have to…go to him…" Danny mumbled as he struggled to get up.
(Prologue Part 2) End.
A/N: As the prologue is almost drawing to a close, things heat up for Danny! But, I'm sure that he can figure whatever is affecting him out. Maybe...Anyway, one more part to the prologue left! Then the real story begins!